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Smart Growth Update

The Joint Finance Committee has finally completed its version of the state budget.  The Committee made numerous changes to the Governor's budget recommendations. The Joint Finance version of the budget now will proceed to the full Assembly and Senate, where each house will vote on it before sending it back to Governor Doyle for his final approval (or vetoes).

Before we proceed with the update, we would like to offer a sincere thank you to our many members and friends who already have contacted their legislators and the Governor on these issues. Your efforts and actions are critical to the outcome of this budget.   Thank you for taking the time!    2005-2007 Biennial Budget Analysis

Visit 1000 Friends of Wisconsin for more information.

Smart Growth for Wisconsin

In October 1999, the State of Wisconsin enacted the most ambitious land use legislation in a generation. Smart Growth for Wisconsin ensures that by 2010, every city, village, county and town in the state will be guided by a comprehensive plan as defined by state statute. The law came about in response to four major problems:

1. As of 1998, only 29% of all Wisconsin communities had any kind of land use plan in place at all.

2. These plans varied widely in their content, quality and age. Some communities had detailed plans covering a wide range of issues that were frequently updated. Other communities had poorly conceived or old plans.

3. Even those communities with good plans often did not invest the time and resources to implement those plans when actual land use decisions were being made.

4. The state offered little guidance on how to improve this situation.

The new law was passed to ensure responsible planning, create a framework such that the planning is implemented, rein in sprawl and enhance the health of our urban and rural communities.

Smart Growth for Wisconsin creates an opportunity - in some ways unique in the nation and certainly historic in Wisconsin - to creatively combat sprawl and its harmful consequences for our environment and our quality of life. However, the opportunities created by this law will surely be squandered if we are not diligent and aggressive in our land use and transportation campaigns as Wisconsin citizens planning for the future of our communities.

There is a great deal at stake - we hope that as citizens we look at this law as an opportunity to plan for the healthy future of our homes and the long-term protection of our natural, cultural and economic resources - for ourselves, our families, and future generations.

Visit 1000 Friends of Wisconsin for more information.