Libertas Institute
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Impact
    • Libertas Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Internships and Fellowships
  • Policy
    • Public Policy Briefs
    • Policy Principles
    • Local Government Toolkit
    • Op-Eds
    • Make an Impact in Your State
  • Resources
    • Legislation Tracker
    • Legislator Indexes
    • Legislator Profiles
    • Media Mentions
    • Annual Reports
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
Search
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Impact
    • Libertas Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Internships and Fellowships
  • Policy
    • Public Policy Briefs
    • Policy Principles
    • Local Government Toolkit
    • Op-Eds
    • Make an Impact in Your State
  • Resources
    • Legislation Tracker
    • Legislator Indexes
    • Legislator Profiles
    • Media Mentions
    • Annual Reports
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
Libertas Institute
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Impact
    • Libertas Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Internships and Fellowships
  • Policy
    • Public Policy Briefs
    • Policy Principles
    • Local Government Toolkit
    • Op-Eds
    • Make an Impact in Your State
  • Resources
    • Legislation Tracker
    • Legislator Indexes
    • Legislator Profiles
    • Media Mentions
    • Annual Reports
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
Search
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Impact
    • Libertas Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Internships and Fellowships
  • Policy
    • Public Policy Briefs
    • Policy Principles
    • Local Government Toolkit
    • Op-Eds
    • Make an Impact in Your State
  • Resources
    • Legislation Tracker
    • Legislator Indexes
    • Legislator Profiles
    • Media Mentions
    • Annual Reports
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
Michael Melendez
Author @zosomm90

Michael Melendez


Michael is the Executive Vice President, overseeing Libertas’ policy operations, including policy analysis, government affairs, and organizational strategy. Prior to joining Libertas he was a legislative aide for a Utah state senator and the state government affairs manager for Waterford Institute, a digital education non-profit. Michael has also managed and worked on dozens of campaigns around the country, which included directing the Trafalgar Group’s nationally recognized polling operations in 2016.

Read Article
Op-Eds
Op-Eds

‘Smile, you’re on camera!’ The constitutional dangers of PhotoCop


Photo policing raises a tangle of ethical questions. Is it fair to ticket the owner of the car regardless of who was driving? Is it legal to use facial recognition for ticketing?

  • Michael Melendez
  • 13th May '22
  • Read More...
Read Article
Justice and Due Process
Justice and Due Process

PhotoCop? Warning: Constitution Questions May Be Larger Than They Appear


The Deseret News recently published an opinion piece advocating for the legalization of PhotoCop devices in Utah—cameras to automatically record and punish violators of the law.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 6th May '22
  • Read More...
Read Article
2022 Bills
2022 Bills

Not Every Bill Passes in Utah, And That’s Good


In the end, we do more than just encourage legislators to pass a variety of good policies. Libertas Institute also serves as a watchdog for legislation that will negatively impact the rights and lives of Utahns

  • Michael Melendez
  • 6th Apr '22
  • Read More...
Read Article
2022 Bills
2022 Bills

The Year of the (Modest) Tax Cut


A number of changes and reductions to tax burden of Utahns made it through the Legislature in 2022, but what were they?

  • Michael Melendez
  • 5th Apr '22
  • Read More...
Read Article
Personal Freedom
Personal Freedom

Blow Dry Bars: Another Successful Example for Licensure Reform


This legislation does not put customers in any danger, but it does create the ability for more individuals to become employed and avoid all of the challenges surrounding the lengthy licensing process.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 9th Aug '21
  • Read More...
Read Article
Personal Freedom
Personal Freedom

The Revolution Continues


So, as you celebrate the Fourth of July, just remember that the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution were not an ending point, but a beginning.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 3rd Jul '21
  • Read More...
Read Article
2021 Bills
2021 Bills

A Mix of Tax Cuts for Utahns in 2021


Going into the 2021 session, legislative leaders were committed to a tax cut of at least $80 million, but that number ended up being closer to $100 million. Though there were proposals for a broad income tax rate cut, the...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 4th May '21
  • Read More...
Read Article
Education Empowerment
Education Empowerment

School Attendance Reforms Put Parents Back in the Driver’s Seat


These bills not only help protect parental rights (as dictated in Utah’s Constitution), but they also provide important support to Utah’s children. Routines and normalcy have been disrupted and it would be wise to give families...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 5th Apr '21
  • Read More...
Read Article
Personal Freedom
Personal Freedom

A Win for Free Speech at Utah Universities


While private universities have the right to impose limits on the free speech opportunities of their students, government-funded universities must allow students to exercise their rights to speech without any intervention unless...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 2nd Apr '21
  • Read More...
Read Article
Op-Eds
Op-Eds

These two Utah bills would give property tax relief to seniors


The earning potential for an individual in the middle of their career is much different than that of a retiree. Income drops and becomes fixed instead of steadily increasing. This leads to homeowners who are “house rich” and...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 8th Feb '21
  • Read More...
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 7
Older Posts

Our Mission


Change hearts, minds, and laws to build a freer society by creating and implementing innovative policy reforms and exceptional educational resources.

Learn more »

Our Most Recent Video


Click here to see the latest video.

Libertas Institute in the News

Rethink Why

Special Needs Scholarships

Libertas Institute Local Government Toolkit

Look up your legislators

Libertas Legislator Indexes

The Tutlte Twins Children's Books

Children's Entrepreneur Market

Connect with Libertas




Tweets by LibertasUtah

Contact Us


P: 801.901.0310
E: info@libertas.org

Libertas Institute
2183 W Main St
Suite A102
Lehi, UT 84043
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 7
Older Posts
Libertas Institute

We change hearts, minds, and laws to build a freer society by creating and implementing innovative policy reforms and exceptional educational resources.

As a non-profit, we rely on people like you to support our strategic, effective work that changes lives for the better. Will you join us?

Support the Cause

Follow Libertas


  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Copyright © Libertas Institute. 2022 • All rights reserved.

Koala WordPress Theme by EckoThemes. Published with WordPress.