Insights & Takeaways
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.
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Civics of the Utah State Legislature, part 2: Base budget
Read More: Civics of the Utah State Legislature, part 2: Base budgetThis week the Utah Legislature will finalize the “base budget” – which typically represents about 97 percent of the final state budget – for fiscal year 2022-23.
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Supreme Court’s active exercise of judicial review has fluctuated over the decades
Read More: Supreme Court’s active exercise of judicial review has fluctuated over the decadesSupreme Court invalidation of federal laws or regulations may seem like an annual occurrence. But this is a fairly modern development in the civic history of the federal judiciary.
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The key to evaluating curriculum transparency legislation
Read More: The key to evaluating curriculum transparency legislationThe parent-teacher partnership is the place where the desires and interests of two institutions meet: the family and public education. Public policy should respect both institutions.
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Coach’s case at Supreme Court may clarify scope of 2 religion clauses
Read More: Coach’s case at Supreme Court may clarify scope of 2 religion clausesThe Supreme Court agreed to hear a case involving a high school football coach who alleges he lost his job because he was exercising his free exercise right to offer…
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Civics of the Utah Legislature, part 1: Rule by consensus
Read More: Civics of the Utah Legislature, part 1: Rule by consensusConsensus rule is how Utah’s system of legislative lawmaking is designed to work. It is a feature, not a bug, of our governing system. The differences between consensus rule and…
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The basic civics principle at heart of 2 vaccine mandate cases
Read More: The basic civics principle at heart of 2 vaccine mandate casesLast week’s Supreme Court decisions in two vaccine mandate cases demonstrate how relevant foundational civic questions are to current controversies.
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Understanding religious freedom’s effects on society can increase support for it
Read More: Understanding religious freedom’s effects on society can increase support for itThe teachings and practices of religious groups and people of faith have powerful, wide-ranging benefits for society. A wider understanding of this could strengthen the nation’s commitment to religious freedom…
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How the Civil War amendments – 13, 14 and 15 – moved U.S. closer to equal rights
Read More: How the Civil War amendments – 13, 14 and 15 – moved U.S. closer to equal rightsAs the Civil War drew to a close, the U.S. Congress returned to the issues the court had botched and began the process of addressing the underlying injustices that had…
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Supreme Court’s focus on constitutional procedure in Texas decision is healthy
Read More: Supreme Court’s focus on constitutional procedure in Texas decision is healthyThe decision won’t settle the abortion issue, but it provides direction to courts that might be tempted to undermine the constitutional separation between state and federal courts.
