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.
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.
New law shows the triumph over zero-sum mentalities in education
With Gov. Spencer Cox’s signature on HB 215, students and educators in Utah are going to see historic reforms to Utah’s education system.
Cox’s State of the State elevates family and success sequence
The governor rightly cited the institutional role of families and the long-term benefits of life milestones anchored to education, work and family.
Accountability in HB 215 education bill
The legislation requires annual audits of individual families’ scholarship accounts, a suspension process for those who misuse scholarship funds, and academic accountability to parents and students.
FAQ on the proposed Utah Fits All Scholarship Program
Answers to questions such as: Why do we need this program? Are vouchers and education savings accounts the same thing? Didn’t Utah vote on this in 2007?
U.S. has long history of giving funding to religious schools
The Supreme Court has made clear that parents cannot be excluded from publicly funded scholarship programs solely because they send their children to religious schools.
See how 22 governors’ arguments against Biden’s loan forgiveness plan fit into framework for evaluating proposals
The ongoing student loan debate shows the importance of constitutional process, targeted policy, and awareness of long-term effects.
New report helps keep an eye on religious freedom in the states
Utah ranks sixth in report that examines 11 religious freedom safeguards such as healthcare conscience protections and other religious exemptions.
Watch first Utah State School Board candidate debate Thursday on YouTube
To help voters in the respective USBE districts become better acquainted with the candidates seeking to serve in these important roles, a series of debates will be conducted live, primarily via YouTube, beginning next week.
Respect for conscience is a natural extension of religious freedom
Federal court in California case backs up doctors who don’t want to take part in assisted suicide process.
Don’t assume partisanship lies beneath justices’ decisions
Partisanship can explain some things, but it is often unhelpful in explaining the work of the Supreme Court.
History first, debate second: Biden’s loan forgiveness plan
Failing to learn about the history of an issue often means failing to truly understand the issue.
Religious groups often involved in helping others assert rights
By seeking protection from certain regulation under the freedom of association, religious Americans have helped establish legal precedents that protect nonreligious associations.
3 questions for assessing Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan
Answering these questions can equip citizens to engage in the public debate in a more pragmatic, principled, and productive way.
What’s Going On with Ranked Choice Voting in Utah? A Q&A with Derek Monson
What’s going on with Utah and RCV? To learn more, I queried Derek Monson, vice president of policy at Sutherland Institute, a conservative think tank in Salt Lake City, Utah.
