Governance is at the core of any transportation issue. Public agencies are the machinery that enables the economy to function, compete effectively for employers and labor, and foster innovation. The ability of agencies to respond to changing and expanding demands varies across the country, shaped to a large extent by individual governance and organizational structures. Governance determines who makes decisions about capital and operating plans and sets out a process for how those decisions are made. Each type of governance structure has its own implications for funding, equitable and effective service patterns, and economic growth.