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Special Edition: Legislative Issues Update
October 9, 2025
Follow up on 2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues
Editor: Scott Rogers, Sr Director of Governmental Affairs,
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Co-editor: John Jacobson, Dir of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware

 Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance
Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, & Menomonie Chambers of Commerce
Mark your calendar: 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Feb 19, 2026 in Madison
 

Why this newsletter...
   Every year, business and community leaders from Chippewa, Dunn, and Eau Claire Counties trek to Madison to build relationships with state policymakers and to advocate for important regional economic issues. In April, a record 130 individuals participated in the 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally in the midst of the state's biennial budget deliberations.
   Armed with a set of clear policy goals, small groups meet face-to-face with lawmakers, delivering a unified message on issues that matter to our economy, our infrastructure, and our quality of life. (Click here to see the full set of 2025 Chippewa Valley Issues.) Now that the 2025–27 Wisconsin State Budget has been signed into law, we can take stock of where things stand. Some priorities received meaningful funding. Others are advancing outside the budget through standalone legislation. A few, at least for now, are stalled. 

Budget Compromise 
How it came together at the end
   After much speculation during the spring about an expected drawn-out budget process, the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Governor Tony Evers suddenly announced a grand budget compromise as the Fiscal Year's expiration date approached on June 30. Key agreements included a provision to access additional federal Medicaid funds, increase UW funding, tax cuts, childcare funding and regulation, and other compromises. Some of these provisions benefited or resolved Chippewa Valley Rally issues, while others were not addressed.
More information:
In wee hours, Legislature passes and Evers signs 2-year, $111-billion state budget (WPR)

Continue reading and we'll recap each issue area from this spring, provide current information on which have been successfully resolved, and identify those that are still pending. 

A record number of participants in the Capitol Rotunda at the 2025 Chippewa Valley Rally
 

2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues follow up

Healthcare
Healthcare concerns were front and center again this year, particularly the need to stabilize services after a wave of local hospital and clinic closures.
Wins:
The state committed $10 million to Rogers Behavioral Health for a new behavioral hospital in Chippewa Falls — a significant investment in local capacity. Another $1 million was awarded to Lutheran Social Services to help reopen the L.E. Phillips Libertas Treatment Center, bringing back a critical addiction recovery resource.
What Didn’t Advance:
The $15 million in temporary stopgap funding that had previously supported the region expired on July 1 and was not renewed in the budget. Meanwhile, legislative efforts to improve coordination among EMS services are still in play through standalone bills (AB-197/SB-181).

Higher Education
At this spring's Rally, our region expressed thanks for the state's critical capital investments in the UWEC Science and Health Sciences Building and the UW-Stout Heritage Hall renovation now underway. For 2025, emphasis included dual credit expansion to infrastructure upgrades to basic support, as higher education remains a top-tier priority for the region.
Wins:
The Universities of Wisconsin received $250 million, including funding for wage increases, stabilization efforts, and telehealth mental health services for students. The Technical College System was awarded $13.3 million to support general aid, student access to materials, and adoption of AI-related curricula. A key project at UW-Stout — the Recreation Complex renovation — was also greenlit with $31.7 million in bonding authority.
What Didn’t Advance:
Proposals to expand funding to ensure dual credit offerings in high schools could continue to grow were not specifically funded in the budget.  

Economic Development & Tax Reform
The Rally's advocacy included broad support for reforms that make Wisconsin a more competitive place to live and work.
Wins:
The budget included a $1.3 billion income tax cut, expanded tax relief for retirees, and eliminated the state sales tax on residential electricity — direct wins for taxpayers across the Chippewa Valley. Another highlight: the Office of Outdoor Recreation was officially established as a permanent part of the Department of Tourism, backed by $368,000 and two staff positions.
What Didn’t Advance:
Despite interest from local officials, proposals to modernize Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) and address the proliferation of local referendums were left out of the budget and are not currently moving through the legislature.

Ready to register for 2026? Put it on your calendar right now, then click the link below for more information:
32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
 • Thursday, February 19, Madison
    Click here for details and registration
    For sponsorship information, email: rogers@eauclairchamber.org

Continue reading for updates on more issues...
 

At the Rally: Opportunities to interact with the Governor and our area legislative delegation.
 

2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues follow up

Workforce Development
With workforce challenges continuing to shape the region’s economic outlook, several workforce-related proposals were elevated through this year’s Rally.
Wins:
The budget compromise included $360 million to support childcare providers, expand capacity, and pilot a new 4-year-old readiness program. It also boosts reimbursement rates for providers serving infants and toddlers and adjusts staffing rules to allow more flexibility.
   Additional wins include $6 million in Youth Apprenticeship grants and funding to help the Department of Safety and Professional Services reduce the occupational licensing backlog. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) was allocated $5 million for talent attraction initiatives, though that funding is limited to the 2025–26 fiscal year.
What’s In Progress:
Several child care-related proposals remain active outside the budget, including:

  • SB 376 / AB 369: Would create a tax credit for employers that provide or subsidize child care for their employees.
  • SB 291 / AB 283: Would make child care expenditures eligible for the state’s business development tax credit.

Housing Supply and Affordability
Although it touches multiple policy areas, housing deserves its own update given the sustained focus by regional leaders. Most efforts related to this area are concentrated in legislation outside of and after the budget process. 
What’s In Progress:
Two significant proposals have been in active consideration in recent weeks, including SB 182 / AB 178 which would expand access to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), a crucial tool for affordable housing development; and SB 180 / AB 194 which would modernize programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), including access to workforce and multifamily housing financing. This legislation would help unlock the more that $500 million from the previous budget that has been slow to roll out. 
  On October 7, the Assembly passed six bills by varying margins to address housing supply, such as changes to loan programs, allowing housing-related TIF districts, updating zoning requirements, providing for consistent processes related to subdivision approvals, and other measures. These bills now go to the State Senate, and we'll be monitoring their progress. 
Current news:
Assembly passes series of bills aiming to boost housing supply (WisPolitics)
Fast-tracked housing bills pass Assembly with some friction (Wisconsin Examiner)
Assembly approves GOP housing package, including building code bill (WPR)

Continue reading for updates on more issues...
 

Get a "live" update on current state issues at the
Eau Claire Chamber's next policy breakfast:
Eggs & Issues: State Budget and Legislative Update
   Get updates on how Chippewa Valley priorities fared in the final state budget (click to see: 2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues), look at pending legislation and its potential importance to our area's economy, and discuss how you can help advance key initiatives important to business. The discussion will be led by John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware, and Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Senior Director of Governmental Affairs. We'll also get legislative perspectives from Republican State Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, and Democratic Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), a member of the Assembly Minority Leadership.
Event information:
• Friday, Oct 17, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center, Eau Claire
  Click here for details and to register  
 
 

A 2025 Rally team in the State Capitol.

2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues follow up

Homelessness
Area leaders called for more consistent coordination and deployment of state and federal homelessness resources.
Mixed Results:
While there was no new allocation for homelessness programs, the $11 million in regional health investments (to Rogers Behavioral Health and LSS/Libertas) will help address root causes. However, no policy action was taken to improve relocation coordination, and no bills are currently advancing on that front.
 

Energy
Regional support for Right of First Refusal (ROFR) legislation — which would allow Wisconsin utilities to build new in-state transmission lines — was among this year’s more niche but important asks.
What’s In Progress:
SB 174 / AB 174 is currently active and addresses utility transmission facility regulation, including ROFR provisions, as well as broader reforms related to wind, solar, storage, and nuclear power.
What Didn’t Advance:
No ROFR or related energy provisions were included in the final budget.

Continue reading for updates on more issues...
 
 

Rally team meeting in a legislative office

2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues follow up

Transportation & Infrastructure
One state transportation program that was not addressed in the grand budget compromise was passenger rail, including continued operations of the state's support for Amtrak services between Chicago and Milwaukee, the new Chicago-Twin Cities Borealis train via La Crosse, and the 10% match for federal planning grants for future service to Eau Claire and other areas like Madison, the Fox Cities, and Green Bay. As a result, funding was left at a base amount that is likely insufficient to continue all services and planning efforts, although Wisconsin DOT is still evaluating the ramifications.
   The budget did not directly release the $125 million previously set aside for PFAS remediation grants, but new legislation is pending. Separately, a $700 million bonding program was approved to support loans to impacted communities. PFAS remediation grant programs remain pending as part of AB-131 / SB-128. Regulators and lawmakers continue to try to resolve disagreements about landowner liability.
Current news:
Wisconsin lawmakers, regulators clash over PFAS protections in GOP bills (WPR)
Wisconsin Legislature tries again to reach PFAS compromise (Wisconsin Examiner)

Final Thoughts
The 2025–27 budget includes meaningful wins for the Chippewa Valley, particularly in behavioral health, education, childcare, and tax relief. At the same time, several important items remain unresolved — including housing, rail, EMS coordination, and energy policy.
   As the legislative session continues, the we will remain engaged with lawmakers and agency leaders to keep these priorities moving. Thank you to the many members, volunteers, and partners who helped carry the Rally message to the Capitol this year. And we hope you'll put the 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally on your calendar for Thursday, February 19, 2026. 

 

Additional resources:

Wisconsin Legislature website (Click the "Who are my legislators" link)

Office of the Governor

Chippewa Falls Area Chamber

Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce

Menomonie Area Chamber and Visitors Center

32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Feb 19

Thanks for reading this special issue. If you have comments or questions, contact Scott Rogers, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs, at the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce: 715-858-0616 or rogers@eauclairechamber.org 
 
 
 
 
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