Main Street Agenda
Every two years, La Follette holds events around the state to raise awareness about the issues that matter to Wisconsin residents, provide opportunities for them to share their views on the issues and how to solve them, and promote civil dialogue and participatory democracy.
About this project
In 2026, La Follette is partnering with UW–Madison’s Division of Extension Community Development Institute and other organizations to hold community assemblies across Wisconsin. These events aim to foster civil dialogue and find solutions to some of the state’s most complex and pressing problems. La Follette is also partnering with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on a docuseries highlighting the effects of polarization on Gen Z and how they are working to combat it.
At UW–Madison, we often cite the Wisconsin Idea: the notion that the university should make a positive impact across our state. For us at La Follette, the Main Street Agenda project is perhaps the best example of how our school can tangibly make a difference across Wisconsin: by engaging with its citizens and encouraging them to engage with each other.
Community Assemblies
The Community Assemblies will bring together people across the political spectrum to practice civil dialogue in five Wisconsin communities, with a focus on housing issues impacting their community.
Kenosha—October 3
Hosted by the Kenosha County Housing Task Force
Dodgeville—October 10
Hosted by the City of Dodgeville and Dodgeville School District
Forest County—November 7
Hosted by the Forest County Board of Supervisors
Milwaukee—November 14
Hosted by the City of Milwaukee
Marathon County—More Information Coming Soon
“Raised on the Divide” Documentary
La Follette is partnering with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel political commentator Kristin Brey to produce a docuseries focusing on Gen Z’s experience with political polarization. The Season 1 trailer will premiere on October 20 during La Follette School’s Journalist in Residence speaker series featuring Michael Barbaro.
Contact
Contact Tommy Jaime at tjaime@lafollette.wisc.edu with questions or to set up a media interview.
Previous Campaigns
2024
In 2024, our goal was raising awareness about issues Wisconsin residents are concerned about in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. website. In the fall, we hosted in-person community conversations around the state, and we analyzed different policy topics highlighted by a statewide survey.
2022
In fall 2022, we co-hosted four public forums across the state to discuss the issues that were most important to voters leading up to the 2022 midterm elections. A state-wide survey informed the focus of the events.
