Every Friday this month, a bipartisan group of Wisconsin State Legislature staff is turning the Capitol into a classroom, taking a graduate-level crash course in public policy taught by UW-Madison faculty. Participants hone public policy analysis and writing skills thanks to this unique partnership between the La Follette School of Public Affairs and the Legislative Human Resource Office.
“La Follette has been a real partner in supporting staff development and public service more broadly,” said Justin Brock, Senior HR Learning and Finance Specialist at the Capitol. “We work closely with La Follette faculty and each of the caucus leadership teams to identify policy topics that are timely and relevant, benefiting from the amount of research, expertise and outreach the La Follette faculty does.”
The curriculum is curated by professors from La Follette and UW-Madison but is informed by current policy debates in Wisconsin. Topics include energy and water policy, trade and tariffs, state and local finance, economic development, stakeholder engagement and more. Each Friday tackles a different policy domain with a deep dive into specific case studies.
“Legislative staff are already doing this work every day, whether that is analyzing issues, writing memos, or briefing their legislators,” La Follette professor J. Michael Collins said. “This program gives them a more rigorous framework to understand policy and bring that expertise back to their offices.”
The class culminates in the students drafting a three-page policy memo, where they select an issue area of their choice. The purpose of this assignment is to build on class concepts and apply them to a real policy problem in Wisconsin. Students are taking on a diverse range of topics from absentee voting to sales tax exemptions to data privacy.
“The variety of information has been incredibly helpful and it’s important to be able to look at current policy conversations from multiple angles while hearing information from a neutral source. Some of these are hot topics, and even if your legislator isn’t focused on a particular issue, it’s valuable to have that knowledge and be able to support them,” said Casey Steinau, Senior Policy Advisor to Senator LaTonya Johnson.
“The emphasis on how to organize writing reshapes how you think about issues,” said Colin Weeks, Research Assistant for Representative Cindi Duchow. “It’s a skill I’ll carry directly into policy research in the office.”
Staff from both sides of the aisle are learning and collaborating throughout this process, generating ideas together. Legislative staff use research and analysis skills behind the scenes constantly, so this training sharpens tools they’re already using daily, making them more prepared to brief a legislator, understand fiscal notes, or navigate a federal policy change.
“This training gives staff an opportunity early in their careers for professional development and focused policy training,” Brock said. “We hope the research and writing skills directly support the goals of their legislative office and their legislator.”
The training continues through a graduation celebration on June 26. Deeply rooted in the Wisconsin Idea, the Legislative Staff Training bridges the university and the legislature. It connects academic expertise with government operations unfolding just blocks away, and La Follette and UW-Madison professors are equipping legislative staff to better serve Wisconsin.
– Story by Outreach Assistant Ana Massoglia