Public policy is best described as the broad field of state laws, regulations, court decisions, and local ordinances. Today, government affects all aspects of our lives. Everyone has a stake in the public policies enacted by federal, state, and local governments. Many citizens and groups try to influence public policy through the political process by supporting candidates and political parties. Inputs to public policy include election results, public opinion, communications with elected officials, media coverage of issues, and the individual experiences of political staff and decision makers, and outputs include laws, regulations, and decisions that often imply resources, programs, and relationships outside the public sector. The shape of the public policy cycle is closely related to politics and political programs, as well as to the prevailing system of government. Public policy is at the intersection of what could be and what should be, so it is a complex and evolving process influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and geographic factors. Public policy innovation refers to changing that process to serve different needs or achieve different outcomes. The paper analyzes public policy in the Republic of Croatia, with special emphasis on Zadar County.