Voices for Utah Children Articles

  • How the 2025 Federal Reconciliation Bill Harms Utah’s Kids and Families

    Reality vs. Rhetoric As Utahns, we claim to value bold ideas and practical solutions. We believe in responsible budgets — but not at the expense of our children’s futures. The new Federal Reconciliation Bill of 2025—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Moe Hickey
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Sticks and Stones: The Power of the Words We Use

    This month feels heavy. Because, well… it is. We celebrate Pride Month, a time to recognize and honor the LGBTQ+ community. But even as we celebrate, it’s impossible to ignore the challenges. This year, Utah became the first state in the country to ban...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Laneta Fitisemanu and Moana 'Ulu'ave
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • 2025 Legislative Recap

    Was this year's legislative session good for kids? We answer this and more in our 2025 Legislative Recap! In this latest brief, we break down what happened during the legislative session, what we accomplished alongside our partners, and why staying...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Anna Thomas
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Property Taxes Fill the Gap

    When we cut income taxes, it's property taxes that help cover our schools. Utah’s public schools serve over 670,000 kids in more than 1,000 public schools. For a long time, Utah was praised for its fair school funding system, making sure high-poverty...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Taylor Throne, Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog
  • A phone that has FAQs being answered on them.

    Voucher and School Privatization FAQs

    As part of our Vouchers and School Privatization in Utah Series, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions that may help to address key concerns—like why vouchers are so controversial and what’s really at stake. As parents and caregivers,...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Anna Thomas and Moana 'Ulu'ave
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • How to Strengthen Utah's Child Tax Credit in 2025

    In 2023, Utah introduced its own child tax credit (CTC) marking a positive step forward. In 2024, the credit was slightly expanded. However, the credit's limited scope falls short of providing real assistance to families raising young children....

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Tax Policy 101: State Child Tax Credit

    What is the State Child Tax Credit? Utah’s Child Tax Credit (CTC) allows eligible families to claim up to an additional $1,000 per qualifying child each year on their state taxes. Whether a parent stays home or both parents work, this tax credit can...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Another Year, Another Tax Cut: Who Benefits?

    Key Takeaways Minimal Savings, Major Loss: Another tax cut in 2025 will remove about $100M from essential services, pushing total cuts to about $1.3B annually—funds that could strengthen schools, childcare, and healthcare. Wealthy Win, Families Lose:...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Fellow Reflection: Alejandra Martinez

    Hello! My name is Alejandra Martinez. I am originally from Mexico and a mother of three beautiful children. I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Economics at the University of Utah and will graduate this spring. I am deeply committed to giving...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Alejandra Martinez
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • The Real Costs of Erasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

    Since 2023, anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) bills have become law across multiple states. These bills typically target restricting DEI offices and staff, DEI training, diversity statements, and identity-based hiring practices. On January...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Alejandra Martinez
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Voices for Utah Children 2025 Legislative Priorities

    Looking to the 2025 Legislative Session, Voices for Utah Children remains committed to speaking out for all those Utahns who can’t vote but are greatly impacted by public policy: our kids! Despite an increasingly difficult state policy climate, we...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Anna Thomas
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Vouchers 101: The Basics of Utah's New School Privatization Program

    For the first time, during the 2024-25 school year, Utah parents are able to access public taxpayer funding to enroll their child in private religious schools, or to cover home-schooling expenses. In this post, we’ll talk about the basics of how the...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Anna Thomas
    • Category: Updates & Blog
  • Fork in the road with signs pointing to private school or public school

    Series: Vouchers and School Privatization in Utah

    Utah’s expansive school voucher program was unceremoniously pushed into existence by the Utah State Legislature in 2023. Since then, $82.5 million in Utah taxpayer money has been diverted into the program, with no evidence that 1) Utahns want to pay...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Anna Thomas
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Tracking Utah's K-12 Education Funding

    It’s official: Utah returns to ranking last in the nation for per-pupil education spending. While the national average is $15,633, Utah’s spending stands at $9,552 per student, placing the state 51st for Fiscal Year 2022.[i] Let’s dive into the data to...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams, Taylor Throne
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Bad for Kids: Important Information on Amendment A

    The well-deserved negative attention to Amendment D–ruled void by a Utah judge for being “false and misleading”–has more people asking, “What exactly is in Amendment A?” To start, there are several similarities between Amendments A and D: Voices for...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Anna Thomas
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • What the Legislature’s New Constitutional Amendment Means for Education

    As the November elections approach, one crucial issue on the ballot is the proposed amendment to end the constitutional mandate Utah voters passed decades ago, directing the legislature to use state income tax to fund public education. This proposal...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Abdikadir Eftin, Anna Thomas
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Just Released! 2023 Utah KIDS COUNT© Data Book

    We are excited to announce the publication of our 2023 KIDS COUNT© Data Book. This annual release provides valuable insights into the well-being of children in Utah. We invite you to take a moment to explore the data and learn more about the state of...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Martín Muñoz, Laneta Fitisemanu
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Just Released! 2024 Utah KIDS COUNT© Data Book

    Each year we provide valuable insights into the well-being of children in Utah. Please take a minute to explore the data and learn more about how Utah kids are doing in our annual KIDS COUNT© Data Book. This annual release provides valuable insights...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Martín Muñoz, Laneta Fitisemanu
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Tax Cuts Hurt Kids

    Why Voices Opposes Proposed Income Tax Cuts Over the past four years, Utah's Legislative Leadership has consistently prioritized tax cuts above the needs of Utah's families. Despite a $400 million tax cut passed last year that benefited the most...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Take Action on EITC Awareness Day 

    January 26th is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day! The EITC is a vital tool in reducing child poverty, and improving the long-term outcomes for children across our state. Some tax policies - like the EITC - promote fairness and equity....

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Abdikadir Eftin
    • Category: Updates & Blog
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