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.
InsightsWhatever the Supreme Court decides on student loans, Utah families will be affected
Student loan cancellation might sound good now but would not address core problems – and even if constitutional, it would cause more problems down the line.
InsightsHistory of parent-driven education: Part 1 – From the Colonial era to the nation’s founding
In some ways, today’s parent-driven education options are a return to America’s education foundations, when parents had direct responsibility for their child’s education.
InsightsQ&A: Minnesota’s discrimination against religious practice
Becket lawyer representing families in case against new education law points out that it’s bad for civil society when the government targets specific religious communities.
InsightsUtah families: An economic snapshot
Where have Utah families been over the last five years and where are they now? The answers should help frame economic questions as policymakers prepare for next year’s legislative session.
TakeawaysCollege preparation shouldn’t exclude religious learning
As Minnesota and other states attempt to tighten regulations around religious schools, Utah leads on educational opportunity.
InsightsAnti-religious legacy of Blaine Amendments persists
As Minnesota and California show, some places are slow to get the message that the state doesn’t get to single out religious practice for disfavored treatment.
TakeawaysGen Z is lonely. Here’s what parents should know
Key things parents can do to help fight the loneliness epidemic among Gen Z.
InsightsQ&A: Prenda microschool network
Sutherland’s Christine Fairbanks interviewed Kaity Broadbent of Prenda to learn more about Prenda’s microschool program and how it has been implemented so far.
InsightsHow to push back against loneliness as a way of life
There are things government can do to help with America’s epidemic of isolation, but other people and civic institutions are the real answer.
Religious participation seems to help guard against ‘deaths of despair’
Other social activities would also help, but data shows religious participation may be uniquely valuable.
Adoption legislation seeks to protect all parties’ wishes
With this approach, Utah is leading out in proactively protecting religious freedom and the interests of non-religious people.
Perspective: A basketball team in Alabama forfeited a game because it was on the Sabbath. Then the governor stepped in
State and local governments are often the first line for ensuring that religious accommodations are made, especially for religious minorities.
Extracurricular activities, sports, and education choice
HB 209 seeks to extend the same opportunities that district school students currently have to home-school, private school and online students.
Education pluralism: public district schools
Even with different education options, the majority of students are still attending public district schools. Policymakers should consider how to best support those students.
Religious character of a university can provide a rich resource for students
On Jan. 12, a federal judge in Oregon dismissed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education that had been brought by an organization representing LGBT students who had attended religious schools.
Evidence suggests that Utah should let municipal ranked choice voting continue
Allowing the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project to finish – so it can gather additional evidence on the benefits and drawbacks of RCV – is sound policy.
Sutherland supports HB 163 on student-athletes’ religious, modesty requests
‘Get those towels off your heads’ – why student-athletes’ religious and modesty needs should be protected in law
3 ways HB 215 is good for teachers
The passage of HB 215 showcased a lot of debate over education choice. But the impact of the bill on Utah’s teachers received far less attention.
