Wisconsin’s Local Roads and Streets Council: Prototype for Intergovernmental Cooperation and Decision Making

Trends in the devolution of power from the federal to the state and local levels during the last two decades have sparked considerable research, discussion, and action on a variety of policy topics; transportation is no exception. Of particular interest is the way in which communication, education, and outreach among various levels of government are being made more seamless in the face of institutional change. In response, many states and local governments are forming partnerships to facilitate communication and outreach so as to improve decision making. In Wisconsin, the state department of transportation is partnering with local officials to develop policy alternatives that enhance the quality of Wisconsin’s local roads and streets. This state-local partnership, the Local Roads and Streets Council (LRSC), works to facilitate and streamline communication, education, and outreach efforts in order to maximize input from a variety of stakeholders throughout the state. Not only does facilitating communication and outreach help to ensure that the most appropriate transportation policy alternatives are developed, but creating formal avenues for effective and efficient discussion among citizens and their government regarding various policy solutions is at the core of the democratic process. The way in which the LRSC is organized, operated, and maintained is summarized, and information about the benefits, accomplishments, and challenges facing a state and local decision-making partnership of this kind is provided. It is hoped that this overview provides a prototype for other states and issue areas with regard to communication, education, and outreach across jurisdictional lines in the face of increasing institutional change.