Policymakers at the local and state level often lack the professional research staff to keep well enough informed on the issues they are deciding upon while in office. Specifically, they need:

• Brief, up-to-date, accurate and objective policy news & analysis
• Information on related programs and policies

As noted in an article on the Dartmouth College Policy Research Shop:

"At their best, state legislatures are open institutions that serve their citizens as a marketplace for ideas. Organized interests of all political shapes and sizes attempt to add their ideas to the policymaking process; yet, ultimately it is the elected officials who must sort these competing ideas and construct a policy solution. In states having part-time legislatures with small professional staffs, such as those found in New Hampshire and Vermont, the task of discerning the correct policy path to pursue is more difficult."

from Rockefeller Center's Spring 2006 Newsletter

The Dartmouth College Policy Research Shop describes their efforts as follows:

We are committed to providing accurate research that responds to the needs of elected policymakers and their legislative staff throughout the year. We typically produce reports that are 5-15 pages in length with opportunities for follow-up research upon request. Our goal is to provide useful information in a clear format and to deliver these products in a timely manner so that they are useful during legislative deliberation.

Our researchers examine emerging issues of concern that are relevant to legislative discussions in both New Hampshire and Vermont. These topics are selected through a consultative process with policy stakeholders. We make every effort to include policy experts from both states in this process.

The PolicyOptions.org network will seek to expand on Dartmouth's example by involving more colleges and universities in similar efforts and linking their research products via the PolicyOptions.org website. In this process, we will create a network of faculty who are teaching courses that involve their students in meeting the need of policymakers and practioners for relevant research.