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Inside Voices: Federal education cuts are ‘another slap to the face,’ Utahns say

Plus: A local solution to high grocery prices.

  | March 22, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

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.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox supports President Donald Trump’s cuts to the Department of Education, he announced this week in an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, a conservative news outlet based in Washington, D.C.

In fact, he supports “winding down the department altogether,” he wrote. “That’s why it’s encouraging to see President Donald Trump and newly confirmed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon reducing the role of the Department of Education and returning power where it belongs: to states and local communities.”

“Washington doesn’t have all the answers,” he went on to write. “It’s time to trust states and local communities to do what they do best.”

On The Salt Lake Tribune’s Instagram post about the op-ed, Utahns shared why they agree or disagree with the governor:

  • “Trust the states? The states that are banning Pride flags in schools and government buildings, restricting collective bargaining rights, and stripping women and LGBTQ+ individuals of their human rights? Sure. They seem like they have everyone’s best interest at heart.”


  • “The DOE should be dismantled. Educational outcomes have been in continuous decline since it was created and all it did was create a pipeline for teachers unions to influence school policy to the detriment of learning and students. Dismantle DOE + reduce teachers unions influence = better schools and educated children.”


  • “Dismantling the federal department of education will hurt the most vulnerable students.”


  • “That’s right, no more herd style education, states should act according to the best interest of those who got the politicians elected.”


  • “Just another slap to the face. First signing HB267, then throwing $1466 at teachers for a salary increase to placate us for getting pissed for signing that HB267, and now agreeing with dismantling the department of education. I don’t ever want to hear the words ‘we value teachers and education’ out of his mouth again.”

    • Follow us on Instagram, and join the conversation.

    Utah Voices

    (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Pride Center sponsors a protest at the Utah Capitol over HB77, a bill that bans pride flags from Utah schools and government property, on the last day of the Legislative session, Friday, March 7, 2025.

    The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

    🏳️‍🌈 Pride flags

  • “We are seeing a loss of compassion, empathy, care, dedication, authenticity and duty to public service as a profession at every level of government — a near-total erosion of public trust in the very institutions tasked with maintaining the quality of our lives holistically,” writes Taylor N. Knuth. “While I may no longer be able to hang a ‘rectangular piece of fabric’ in my office, thanks to Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Daniel McKay, I have not lost my pride. I still hope that love will prevail, as I once wrote, believe it or not. It’s just a hope that hurts a little more today than yesterday.” Read more.

    • 😡 Angry parents

  • “We as parents need to model good sportsmanship, patience, emotional regulation and positivity. We as parents cannot expect our kids to not throw tantrums on the field, in the gym or in the pool if we ourselves are throwing tantrums every time things don’t go our way,” writes Stephenie Glissmeyer. “As we watch our children compete and participate in sports, our children are watching us and how we behave on the sidelines. Let’s make them proud. Stop the yelling. Stop the threats. Stop the insults. Stop the entitlement.” Read more.

    • 📱 App accountability

  • “Parenting is a full-time job, and devoting time to monitoring my 13-year-old’s online activity can seem overwhelming, especially since it has been reported that an average teen is on 40 apps per week,” writes influencer Shannon Bird. “I am so proud to live in a state that prioritizes protecting teens online and giving parents more control over our teens’ online experiences.” Read more.

    • 🥕 Grocery prices

  • “In an era of unpredictable economic policies, corporate food systems’ dependence on long-distance sourcing has significant drawbacks for Utah suppliers and consumers alike,” write Heleene Tambet and Danielle Fisher with the Wasatch Food Co-op. “As member-owned stores, co-ops are resilient, adapting as needed in order to uphold the values of the consumers they serve. By supporting the local food economy, Salt Lake residents can shield themselves from market fluctuations while simultaneously bolstering our community.” Read more.

    • 🤝 Refugees in Utah

  • “As the executive director of Utah Refugee Connection, I have learned firsthand that the narrative portraying refugees as a security risk or as unwilling to assimilate is simply untrue,” writes Amy Dott Harmer. “The people I work with are dedicated to rebuilding their lives, contributing to our community and finding the same safety and opportunity some of our ancestors once sought when they fled religious persecution and hardship. Utah has long been known for its welcoming spirit. Many of our state’s early settlers were themselves refugees — fleeing danger and seeking a place to belong. The idea of offering refuge is woven into our history. And yet, today, that spirit of welcome is under serious threat.” Read more.

    • Share Your Perspective

    (Susan Walsh | The Associated Press) Linda McMahon speaks on Oct. 3, 2018.

    What do you think the federal government’s role in education should be? Share your perspective.

    From Bagley’s Desk

    The Essence of Evil | 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.