Sutherland Institute
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Civics of the Utah State Legislature, part 6: Finalizing the budget
Finalizing state budgets is typically a delicate – and occasionally indelicate – political and fiscal negotiation between legislative and executive budget leaders that plays an essential role in fulfilling the design of the Legislature: generating consensus around policy decisions.
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The connection between religiosity and good grades
Research finds that “intensely religious teens” are “more likely … to earn higher GPAs and complete more college education” – showing another way that religious practice helps individuals and thus society.
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How we vote: ‘Knowledge will forever govern ignorance’
Voting well is just as important as voting at all. Casting a vote, after all, is no casual matter, but a critical exercise in community, state or national decision-making.
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What is nominee Jackson’s record on religious freedom?
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson does not have an extensive judicial record on religious freedom claims, although she has expressed support for the principle of religious freedom.
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Supreme Court to hear free-speech case from Colorado
The Supreme Court will address the following issue: “Whether applying a public-accommodation law to compel an artist to speak or stay silent violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.”
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Statement in support of HCR 16 – Concurrent Resolution Recognizing Student Athletes’ Right to Religious Freedom and Modesty
HCR 16 makes a compelling case for both the value of sports to student athletes and the need to properly accommodate modesty concerns in policies about uniforms.
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Illinois case shows how legislators can help protect right of conscience
By setting out clear parameters for what health care employers and providers can and cannot do, the Illinois law cited in the case creates reliable protections for patients and health care personnel.
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Civics of the Utah State Legislature, part 5: The governor
The governor plays a distinct and critical role in lawmaking. He or she is often the final level of vetting that legislation receives before becoming law and also serves as a check on the political and policymaking power of Utah’s…
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‘Cert’ history: How cases get to the Supreme Court
When the Supreme Court was first established in the late 1700s, it had to decide every appeal made to it. As the country grew, the number of appeals to the court became overwhelming.
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Civics of the Utah State Legislature, part 4: House and Senate
The different ways that senators and representatives are elected to represent all Utah voters often fulfills the design of the legislative process: achieve a broad consensus in order to pass a bill or resolution.