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Libertas Institute
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Impact
    • Libertas Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Internships and Fellowships
  • Policy
    • Public Policy Briefs
    • Policy Principles
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    • Op-Eds
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  • Resources
    • Legislation Tracker
    • Legislator Indexes
    • Legislator Profiles
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    • Annual Reports
  • Donate
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  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Impact
    • Libertas Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment Opportunities
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  • Policy
    • Public Policy Briefs
    • Policy Principles
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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.

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Blog
Blog

#GivingTuesday


As we enter the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let's remember that today is Giving Tuesday. We’ve had our fun with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but may we remember the reason for the season.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 28th Nov '17
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Blog
Blog

The Graveyard of Bad Policy Ideas


Beware the graveyard of bad policy ideas. Just when they seem to be defeated once and for all, they rise up from the grave again. We affectionately call these policy ideas “zombies.”

  • Michael Melendez
  • 31st Oct '17
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Op-Eds
Op-Eds

Excusing Absences: Do Parents Need a Reason?


The Alpine School District offers a great example for how public schools can respect the right of parents to excuse their child's absences.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 30th Oct '17
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Free Market
Free Market

Want to save money on your water bill? Not so fast!


For as long as anyone can remember, Utah has either had a shortage of water or has been in danger of having one. This comes as no surprise considering Utah’s arid climate. Periodically a public conservation campaign, funded by...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 12th Oct '17
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Justice and Due Process
Justice and Due Process

You might be surprised what can land you in jail in Utah…


Holding a raccoon or allowing a swine to run at large can land you in jail in Utah… but with new legislation on the way, hopefully for not much longer.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 5th Oct '17
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Free Market
Free Market

Another Education Ranking Shows Money Isn’t Everything


A new ranking for Utah teachers suggests that things are going pretty well, providing another reason why the Our Schools Now tax increase is unnecessary.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 28th Sep '17
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Free Market
Free Market

Tax Increases… Tax Increases Everywhere!


Elected officials like to tout Utah as the best managed state, but this is a hard idea to stomach when you look at the many taxes that have been increased in recent years.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 19th Sep '17
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Blog
Blog

In Education, Small Amounts of Funding Can Go a Long Way


Ever heard of the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship? It's an important education program providing a few lucky families the flexibility they need to help their child.

  • Michael Melendez
  • 16th Jun '17
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Blog
Blog

Quasi-Government Entities Need Increased Oversight


Interlocal agencies, independent entities, special service districts, Associations of Governments (AOG), and conservancy districts—each of these is a type of government-sponsored or -created organization given control of some...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 30th May '17
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Blog
Blog

Combating Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs with “Right to Shop”


With healthcare on the front of everyone’s minds as Congress continues to formulate a replacement to ObamaCare, here is an idea that could revolutionize the industry and drive costs down tremendously. One of the largest...

  • Michael Melendez
  • 10th May '17
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