Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.
I’ve been hearing from a lot of Utahns since President Donald Trump took office. I’ve shared op-eds from Utahns impacted directly by cuts to international aid programs, geological study, Medicaid and more.
This past week, two Utahns shared how a move to eliminate humanities funding will have a big impact on communities.
Jodi Graham, executive director of Utah Humanities, wrote in an op-ed that the humanities “are what keeps a democracy alive — what keeps us alive.”
“We have seen DOGE’s website, with its proud display of projected taxpayer savings. But where is the corresponding tally of lost jobs, shuttered programs and broken community ties? We’ve repeatedly heard the analogy that these cuts are like surgery — painful but necessary for healing. But you don’t need to be a surgeon to recognize that you can’t remove the patient’s heart and expect them to recover.” Read more.
In another op-ed, Ogden author Kase Johnstun wrote that “it’s not about the money ... it’s an assault on our humanity by killing the humanities.”
“The loss of NEH funding to Utah Humanities will kill our beloved Utah Humanities Book Festival that has been alive and supporting local authors, libraries and independent bookstores for 27 years. By killing the book festival, DOGE has killed the voices who drive conversation by cutting them off from those who want to have the conversation. By defunding Utah Humanities, DOGE strips local community organizers of the opportunity to apply for humanities grants in their community, wipes out the long-standing Museum on Main Street Program that brings Smithsonian Art to rural Utah communities and vacates opportunities for students to go to college who could not without assistance.” Read more.
Do you have a unique perspective to share on a local and timely issue? Shoot me an email and let’s talk about a potential letter to the editor or op-ed.
Utah Voices
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tours the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Monday, April 7, 2025.
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
RFK Jr.’s ‘concerning and deeply problematic’ views
“Mr. Kennedy consistently frames autism through a narrow and pathologizing lens,” writes psychiatrist Spencer Merrick. “He speaks almost exclusively about individuals with profound support needs, ignoring the vast diversity and complexity of the autism spectrum. I work every day with autistic individuals who span this spectrum — from highly independent, articulate young people to those who are nonverbal and require round-the-clock care. All of them are valuable. All of them are worthy. None of them are broken.” Read more.
Finding good news at the SLC Marathon
“It’s a beautiful thing to achieve a goal, and rarely does life give us so clear an example as a marathon,” writes Brian Higgins. “Living in the modern world is complicated; often we go months in between our hard work and the payoff, waiting to hear back about school applications, job interviews, exam results, etc. We have all too many finish lines to cross before it’s time to celebrate, and we usually cross those finish lines in quiet, solitary moments.” Read more.
A ‘wake-up call’ for Utah higher education
“[This] is not a partisan takeover so much as a civic recovery mission,” writes SB344 bill sponsor and state Sen. John D. Johnson. “And at a time when universities are fighting to remain broadly relevant and to justify their cost, to offer learning of lasting import enhances the institution’s value proposition to students and parents alike.” Read more.
Libraries ‘under attack’
“One of the most beautiful things about libraries is that they are places without judgement,” writes Charlotte Maloney. “Librarians are trained to provide excellent service to every single individual. The same respect is given to the lawyer, the high school student, the unsheltered and the new immigrant. All are truly welcome at the library. The Trump administration, however, does not seem to value any of this.” Read more.
Increased hunger and food insecurity in Utah
“Our nation’s budget is a moral document about what we care about, and we are asking our elected representatives to care more about their vulnerable constituents and ask themselves: Who is going hungry tonight?” writes Gina Cornia, the director of Utahns Against Hunger. Read more.
Share Your Perspective
(Doug Mills | The New York Times) President Donald Trump walks with Elon Musk and his son X AE A-Xii, after looking at Tesla vehicles on the South Grounds of the White House in Washington, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
I want to hear from you: What does government efficiency look like to you? What kind of changes — if any — would you like to see made?
From Bagley’s Desk
Dangerous Ideas | Pat Bagley
I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.
