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.
States can learn from federal regulators how not to implement rules
New HHS rule may include welcome changes for healthcare workers
Colorado religious school asks Supreme Court to take case on ministerial exception
U.S. law recognizes that courts should not second-guess a religious organization’s choices of spiritual leaders. An ex-teacher’s lawsuit says his firing shouldn’t have been allowed.
Legislative wrap-up: Education policy’s new pluralism paradigm
Laws that were passed in the 2023 session support educating students using a holistic approach that includes public and private options.
Sutherland’s role in successful student-athlete uniform bill
The legislation followed conversations that Sutherland helped facilitate between religious groups and legislators in Utah after similar legislation was enacted in Illinois.
Family should be priority for interim
Another civic institution guided clearly by leaders that is as important and impactful, if not more, to the well-being of society: families led by parents.
Constitutional norms provide room for people to act on their beliefs
Individual faith is a powerful motivation, although survey data indicates that religious beliefs may not be a significant driver of state policies.
If Utah dumps letter grades for schools, what comes next?
HB 308 would remove the letter A-F scores that schools receive on the Utah School Report Card. Supporters of the bill say parents need more nuance about what’s happening at schools.
We can, and should, support both education choice and traditional schools
Education choice is sweeping the nation. State legislatures in West Virginia, Arizona, Iowa, and Utah have passed universal education choice scholarships in the past couple of years. Similar legislation is in motion in several other states.
This year’s education legislation reflects state constitution’s common-good approach
Although high-profile education choice legislation has already passed, legislators are pursuing additional bills to reward teachers and expand special-needs scholarships.
George Sutherland’s defense of American democracy
George Sutherland’s public service endured attacks on the Constitution, representative government, and the independence of the Supreme Court on which he served.
Religious colleges are good marriage incubators
Marriage is good for individuals and society, but Americans are less likely to get married than in the past. One recent article highlights a specific setting for promoting marriage – religious schools.
Faith and religious practice boost health of individuals and communities
With various illnesses predicted to hit hard this winter, boosting the immune system is wise. That might include an unexpected resource for staying healthy: faith.
Expanding the scope of Sutherland Institute’s education policy research
What would Utah education look like if state and local public policy fully embraced the full diversity of school options?
George Sutherland’s judicial confirmation
Though not even inside the nation’s borders, Sutherland had been both nominated and confirmed to the United States Supreme Court – both occurring on the very same day.
“Living voice of the Constitution”: George Sutherland as an elected official
Many politicians have had longer careers as elected officials than George Sutherland. But fewer have produced in just 18 years of elected service the weight and breadth of accomplishments as Sutherland.
Religious schools need protecting, especially in the developing world
The experience of elementary, secondary and higher education in the United States and other nations shows that high quality education can be and is provided by religious schools.
Lawsuit against Utah’s abortion trigger law highlights court powers
When the standard for a judge’s decision to stop a law from going into effect is too lax, as it may be in Utah, it creates an unnecessary hurdle to representative lawmaking.
On a trajectory for civic achievement: George Sutherland’s formative years
Sutherland’s youth and formative years would have a distinct influence upon his life – putting him on a path to great civic accomplishments.
