Why Does Utah Need SJR 22?

Imagine where we would be if the Founders had decided they didn't need to record their wisdom in a written constitution.

February 22nd 2012

By Derek H. Monson

Will SJR 22 Tie the Hands of the Legislature?

SJR 22 will establish basic constitutional guidelines and leave details to the Legislature.

February 22nd 2012

By Derek H. Monson

Will SJR 22 Harm Utah's Bond Rating?

February 22nd 2012

By Derek H. Monson

SJR 22: What Would We Cut?

SJR 22 will not prevent the Legislature from funding high-priority items like public schools and road construction.

February 22nd 2012

By Derek H. Monson

Will SJR 22 Hurt Public and Higher Education Funding?

Far from harming education, SJR 22 will help Legislature protect funding.

February 22nd 2012

By Derek H. Monson

Utah's SJR 22 and Colorado's TABOR: Side by Side

Comparing these amendments is like comparing a Camaro to a Model T.

February 22nd 2012

By Derek H. Monson

Economic Gardening

A proposal for growing Utah's economy from the inside out

December 7th 2011

By Matthew C. Piccolo

Taming the Beast of Government Spending

It would take 25 years for a median-income household in Utah to earn what the state of Utah spent in one hour in 2010.

November 17th 2011

By Derek H. Monson

Smoothing Out the Peaks and Valleys

Unstable government spending means fewer police officers and schoolteachers, unreliable services for families in extreme need, and permanently higher taxes for all Utahns.

November 17th 2011

By Derek H. Monson

Responsible Citizen Summary: Taming the Beast of Government Spending

In 2010, it would have taken 25 years for the median-income household to earn what the state spend in one hour.

November 17th 2011

By Derek Monson

Responsible Citizen Summary: Smoothing Out the Peaks and Valleys

Unstable government spending means fewer police officers and schoolteachers, unreliable services for families in extreme need, and permanently higher taxes for all Utahns.

November 17th 2011

By Derek Monson

Behind the Numbers: Families and Education

Education in Utah and the infamous 51st ranking

November 3rd 2011

By Bryce J. Christensen and William C. Duncan

The Mountain West Summit

Leaders from business, law enforcement, faith and government plan to meet Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the City Center Marriott in Salt Lake City to discuss the importance of immigration and immigrants in the Mountain West.

October 6th 2011

By Mountain West Summit

Mark Skousen Bio

Dr. Mark Skousen will analyze the current economic crisis based on his 30 years of experience in the financial world living through booms and busts, inflation and deflation, and bull and bear markets. He will share insights about how to resolve the debt crises in Europe and the United States, and his outlook for the global economy.

October 6th 2011

By Mark Skousen

Making Performance Pay

Sutherland Institute recommends that Ogden School District, as well as other districts, implement a performance pay policy for teachers that is based on comprehensive evaluations.

October 5th 2011

By Derek H. Monson

The Unhappy Young Man: A Parable

Disgruntled with the only world he knew, the unhappy young man hiked to the crest of a nearby mountain, turned one last time to gaze upon the lives he was determined to abandon, and resolved, then and there, to never look back.

September 16th 2011

By Sutherland Institute

Preserving Sacred Ground: A Responsible Citizen Approach to Same-Sex Politics

The 2009 book from Sutherland Institute is now available for download in PDF form

September 13th 2011

By Stanley D. Rasmussen, ed.

Saving Education and Ourselves 2011

Sutherland Institute announces the release of an updated publication, Saving Education and Ourselves 2011: The Moral Case for Self-Reliance in Education. The 100-page treatise -- first written in 2003 by Sutherland Institute President Paul T. Mero and updated this year by Daniel E. Witte, director of Sutherland's Center for Educational Progress, and Sutherland staff -- tackles comprehensive education reforms that respect tradition and highlight innovation.

August 16th 2011

By Paul T. Mero, Daniel E. Witte et al.

Bewailing the Fruits, Ignoring the Roots

A front-page headline in USA Today in April was a cry of alarm: “Puberty Too Soon; Girls Are Maturing Faster Than Ever, and Doctors Are Not Sure Why.” What followed was an investigative report indicating that in 21st-century America, “girls are maturing faster than ever and … hitting puberty younger than any generation in history.” This trend deeply troubles public health officials – and should disturb all Americans – because of the studies finding that that “early puberty increases girls’ odds of depression, drinking, drug use, eating disorders, behavioral problems and attempted suicide.” But what has caused this epidemic of early puberty, with all its attendant problems?

July 7th 2011

By William C. Duncan and Bryce Christensen

Rotten Apples

Some minors are dangerous or criminal to the point that government intervention is required. Some parents are hopelessly unable or unwilling to impose adequate oversight for such minors. How should Utah deal with chronic bad apples?

June 23rd 2011

By Daniel E. Witte

Clear Away the Misinformation About HB 116

Some critics are seeking repeal of HB 116. One group has created a list of specific complaints about the bill, to which Sutherland responds.

June 14th 2011

By Paul Mero

Sutherland Institute Recommends Changes to HB 116

Sutherland's top recommendation is to substitute SB 60 (2nd Substitute) from the 2011 legislative session for HB 116.

June 2nd 2011

By Paul T. Mero

Next Steps for State-based Immigration in Utah

Sutherland Institute recommends changes to HB 116, the immigration compromise from the 2011 legislative session.

June 2nd 2011

By Paul T. Mero

The Utah Kulturkampf Against Youth

Quite apart from legal issues, curfews are poor public policy. Waging a Kulturkampf against young people is ultimately counterproductive. It conveys an adult animus and fear toward minors, substitutes indifference for engagement, and relies upon punitive confinement instead of engaging proactive personal development. It encourages an unhealthy, concentered, fearful, Ritalin-induced lifestyle for children. It engenders contempt for civic authority even while conditioning future voters to accept overbearing governmental intrusion.

May 26th 2011

By Daniel E. Witte

The Poison of Extremism

Harsh tone and style define new right-wing extremism in Utah, especially regarding immigration.

April 14th 2011

By Paul T. Mero

Film Subsidies: If You Don't Build It, They'll Still Come

The facts suggest that filmmakers would produce movies in Utah without government subsidies, which conflict with free-market principles.

March 1st 2011

By Matthew C. Piccolo

Testimony in Favor of SB 60 (Immigrant Accountability Bill)

Testimony before the Senate Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee: SB 60 addresses real problems in a way that ensures public safety, protects freedom and promotes economic prosperity. Perhaps more importantly, it reflects Utah culture – meaning it’s an expression of the will of the people.

February 23rd 2011

By Paul Mero

Testimony in Support of SB 53 (Eligibility for Interscholastic Activities in Secondary Schools)

Testimony given in support of SB 53 (Eligibility for Interscholastic Activities in Secondary Schools, M. Madsen) in the Senate Education Committee.

February 18th 2011

By Matthew Piccolo

Testimony given in support of HB 249 - Growing of Food

Testimony given in support of HB 249 (Growing of Food, C. Herrod) in the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee

February 15th 2011

By Matthew Piccolo

SB 70: Punitive, Ineffective and a Civil Rights Nightmare

A transcript of Paul Mero's testimony on Feb. 11 in front of the Utah House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee in opposition to Representative Stephen Sandstrom's Arizona-style immigration bill. The bill advanced to the House floor.

February 11th 2011

By Paul Mero