Policy
Work & Opportunity
At the core of the American Dream is the belief that hard work and commitment can yield a better life, the pursuit of which is possible thanks to the American free enterprise system – the greatest engine of prosperity in the history of humanity. But too many Americans striving to escape poverty still face obstacles to realizing that dream.
Through the Work & Opportunity Initiative, Sutherland Institute seeks to remove barriers or disincentives to work and other opportunities for economic progression that affect families in Utah and beyond. Landmark research, compelling multimedia, powerful storytelling and strategic partnerships combine to advance policy reforms that make the American Dream more attainable – protecting Utah and the United States as the land of opportunity for generations to come.
Research & Events
Conversations
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Rep. Blake Moore: Rethinking the safety net to promote upward mobility
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How the Upward Mobility Act would work
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The Upward Mobility Act explained
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The Upward Mobility Act | Sen. Husted & Rep. Moore
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How to fix America’s welfare system
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Why the safety net can discourage work
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A safety net without a shared vision
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The welfare maze no one can navigate | Clarence H. Carter
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Accountable federalism could be a pathway to better government programs
Insights & Takeaways
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CommentaryConservatives’ Golden Opportunity to Win the Minimum-Wage Argument
Read More: Conservatives’ Golden Opportunity to Win the Minimum-Wage ArgumentElection year offers conservatives an opportunity to deliver a pro-worker message that can win over persuadables on the minimum-wage debate.
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CommentaryReforming welfare and workforce policy elevates work
Read More: Reforming welfare and workforce policy elevates workThe success of the Utah model doesn’t mean the state is perfect; there are certainly still opportunities to improve how we help people get out and stay out of poverty.…
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CommentaryThe ‘success sequence’ is a bipartisan vision for upward mobility. Policymakers should embrace it
Read More: The ‘success sequence’ is a bipartisan vision for upward mobility. Policymakers should embrace itIn our polarized political environment, it’s not often that an idea garners majority support across party affiliation, ideology, and demographic differences. New Sutherland Institute polling shows that the success sequence…
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PollingSupport for the Success Sequence: Overview of new survey data showing Utahns’ level of support for the principles of the success sequence
Read More: Support for the Success Sequence: Overview of new survey data showing Utahns’ level of support for the principles of the success sequenceResearch shows that young people who finish high school, work full time, and wait until marriage to have children avoid poverty as adults 97% of the time.
