Josh T. Smith, who wrote a commentary recently in The Salt Lake Tribune praising Utah’s tax reform, works for the Center for Growth and Opportunity, a think tank at Utah State University funded by the right-wing Charles Koch Foundation.
There’s something funny about a blatant ideologue trying to defend tax cuts for the rich. According to Smith, rich people will pay their fair share on caviar, lobster, filet mignon, pet grooming and electric ski lifts. However, the commentary also demonstrates that when universities accept highly politicized money, there is a real danger of blurring the lines between objective research and political propaganda.
On the front page of the same newspaper there was an article about a few ultra-rich donors working through the right-wing Sutherland Institute to destroy Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument. The disinformation spread by these highly politicized think tanks does real harm.
I appreciate reporting that helps informed citizens follow the money.
Amy Brunvand, Salt Lake City
