Welcome to Mauston? State says no

Welcome to Mauston? Not so much. At least not yet. The little city just wants to put up some signs that say “Welcome to Mauston.” The same kinds of signs you see driving all over Wisconsin. Mauston has already spent $10,000 to buy the four signs, meant to show visitors how friendly they are. But the big bad state of Wisconsin is saying no to their neighborly efforts. It seems that there are state laws against putting up signs that say “Welcome to” along a state highway. Somehow, that is considered to be some form of advertising, that if the word “welcome” is used on the sign, the state is somehow endorsing its efforts to be welcoming. If the sign just read “You are in Mauston” or just “Mauston” it would pass state muster. In the words of the Mauston City Administrator, “I wish I could explain more, but I don’t understand it myself.” That’s because it doesn’t make any sense. Especially given that every road leading into Mauston is a state highway. So the signs are sitting in a storage shed, and the state lawmaker representing the city has introduced legislation, to be the subject of a hearing in our state capitol, likely with charts and graphs at taxpayer expense, to allow Mauston to put up signs on a state right-of-way. It shouldn’t be so difficult for a little city to put up some little signs. The state should look the other way on this one, and let Mauston welcome people to their city. That would be the neighborly thing to do.