Legislative: Let Local Government Work

WTA routinely informs legislators and agency officials at the state and federal levels about the town perspective on proposed legislation and administrative rules impacting town government and town residents. This includes appearances before legislative committees and participation in statewide panels studying local government issues. See the WTA Policy Goals below for general statements on WTA positions on these issues of statewide significance.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the WTA Legislative Update as of 4/20/13.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the WTA Legislative Priorities for the 2013-2014 session.

CLICK HERE for a link to the Government Accountability Board, Ethics Division, "Eye on Lobbying" page.  Here you can search by organization, specific bill, and more to view officially registered positions and submitted testimony by both WTA and others.

On the Wisconsin Legislature's website you can use the "who represents me?" feature to find your local state legislators.

Sample Resolution in Support of Constitutional
Amendment on Transportation Financing

Please CLICK HERE for a sample resolution to pass in support of a state constitutional amendment on providing a fair share of transportation funding for local highways. 

Final Retroreflectivity Sign Rules Announced

The Federal Highway Administration has now released the awaited changes to highway sign retroreflectivity rules. The updated rules are official in effect as of June 13, 2012. CLICK HERE for the final rules, or CLICK HERE for a copy of a forthcoming WTA article summarizing those changes.

Town Road Improvement-Discretionary
(TRID) Program Awards Announced

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the 2012 Town Road Improvement-Discretionary (TRID, formerly TRIP-D) selected projects. CLICK HERE for the DOT news release. There are 58 town road projects amounting to over $11,500,000 in matching state aid. These projects are intended to provide assistance to local governments for long-term road improvements designed to protect public safety and to account for large-scale agricultural, forestry and industrial impacts on local roads. CLICK HERE for a direct link to the list of selected projects.

WTA Capitol Day Held Last March 30th, 2011

Over 160 town officers visited the capitol in Madison to complete over 70 appointments with legislators and/or legislative staff.  Thanks to all of these participants for being the voices of towns in Madison. 

WTA Policy Goals

Functional Consolidation:  By working together, local governments can improve service quality and efficiency.

Annexation:  Annexations should be governed by reasonable standards that promote fairness and cooperation.

Land Use:  Encourage sound land use planning by giving every Wisconsin resident an equal voice in shaping their own communities.

Transportation:  Protect our investment in Wisconsin's state/local road system by adequately funding improvement and maintenance activities.

Aid Formulas:  Adjust state aid distribution formulas to direct more assistance to communities with the greatest financial need.

Home Rule:  Amend the Wisconsin Constitution to give regulatory home rule to towns, but preserve the pure democracy of the town meeting.