Insights & Takeaways is Sutherland Institute’s official blog that informs the public and policymakers alike. The blog addresses important issues through the two distinct yet complementary lenses of the seasoned policy professional and the engaged citizen.
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
Takeaways: the most important things voters need to know. For civically engaged citizens.
TakeawaysQ&A: Understanding the Supreme Court battle over Texas and Florida social media regulation
What do recent attempts to regulate social media mean for free speech and Utah? Sutherland’s Bill Duncan explains in his recent Q&A.
InsightsSocial media cases at Supreme Court show how policymakers need to reach a balance on regulation
Social media group’s suit against Texas and Florida could be an important case for states considering tech regulation.
CommentaryWhy funding more microschools in Utah makes sense
Microschools deserve a chance to thrive.
Housing, Education, Taxes are Top Issues for Utah Likely Voters, Survey Finds
Heading into the 2024 elections, most likely voters in Utah view housing affordability, education funding and taxes as most important to their vote.
InsightsImpacts of curriculum transparency on education choice
Central to education choice within the public system is clear information that allows parents to make comparisons. Transparency in all forms is helpful.
InsightsUnanimous decision on Trump’s ballot access pushes back on ‘partisan court’ narrative
The Supreme Court is often accused of being divided along partisan lines, but nearly half of its 58 rulings in the court’s last full term were unanimous decisions.
CommentaryAs the family goes, so goes the state. Utah gets this
Marriage does more to lift people from poverty than money from Uncle Sam. New legislation reflects this.
CommentaryRespect for local control means keeping the ranked choice voting pilot program
The pilot program is working. Cities are adopting or rejecting ranked choice voting according to the expressed will of their voters.
InsightsHuman rights violations in China, Nicaragua are sad examples of a lack of religious freedom
Repression of Uyghurs is well known; in Nicaragua, Catholics and people of other faiths have been subjected to arrest, intimidation and exile.
Religious freedom must be lived out
America’s commitment to religious freedom goes beyond the written Constitution. It must continuously be protected in the public square.
Recent antisemitism prompts a needed reminder of America’s culture of religious freedom
With recent antisemitic attacks abroad and at home, Americans would benefit from a reminder of our nation's centuries-long commitment to religious freedom.
Religious groups in school can be an important antidote to loneliness
Christian athletes in the San Jose, California, school district will now be able to associate with each other in official clubs, thanks to a recent ruling from the Ninth District Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ninth Circuit affirms religious freedom in California student group case
School district’s hostility toward religious student group shows there’s much to be done outside of court to ensure that government institutions protect pluralism.
How AI could prevent teacher burnout
Some teachers have found that AI platforms can reduce the time and prep work of teaching.
Q&A: Junior Achievement is for home-schoolers too
Junior Achievement is a nonprofit that aims to help elementary and secondary students – in traditional or nontraditional school settings – learn principles of finance, economics and entrepreneurship.
Increasing choice in higher ed: 3 alternatives to traditional college
As Utah diversifies its K-12 education programs with choices, we should take note that the state’s colleges and universities are doing the same.
Can confidence in higher education be renewed with choice and innovation?
Some institutions of postsecondary schooling – like UVU and BYU-Pathway Worldwide – are already making strides in reducing the cost to acquire employable skills.
Tracking ‘two-parent privilege’ in Utah
Children in married families do better in school and in life. State agencies can do a better job of tracking these metrics.
