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Volume 7, Issue 26, Nov 11, 2024
 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire, Wis. 
Published the first business day of each week
Business Advocate Past Issues
Public Meetings Calendar
Chamber Events Calendar
The Chamber's Advocacy Principles
The Chamber's 2024 Business Issues Agenda
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
How to become a Chamber investor
Contact: Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-5:00p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p

Today is Veteran's Day. We appreciate the sacrifices of those who served.

In this issue:
 • City of Eau Claire operating budget hearing, action this week
 • Eau Claire County adopts 2025 budget
 • Election 2024: Legislative majorities narrow, full results
 • Eau Claire school referendum passes with 64%
 • Chippewa Falls Leinenkugel brewery to close
 • National Civics Bee competition open for middle school students
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Election Analysis with the
Marquette Poll's Charles Franklin
   Now that the election is over, what can we glean from how voters cast their ballots for key races in the state, including for President, US Senate, Congressional races, and changes in the State Legislature? Join us for this special opportunity to hear analysis of the varied results Wisconsin voters delivered to both parties. Dr. Charles Franklin, nationally recognized government scholar and pollster, has been director of the Marquette Law School Poll since its inception in 2012. He is widely regarded as the definitive source for information concerning public opinion in Wisconsin. It promises to be an engaging and insightful presentation, including opportunities for Q&A.
• Friday, Nov 15, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Post-election perspective...
Moving Forward Together for a Stronger Eau Claire (David Minor, President & CEO, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Dec 9
• Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast - Friday, Dec 20
• Eau What A Night - 110th Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Jan 30
• 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Wednesday, March 5

EC City Council: Budget hearing Monday, adoption Tuesday
   The Eau Claire City Council will hold its final public hearing and discussion on its 2025 operating budget on Monday, followed by Council action on Tuesday to adopt the budgets for the city's general fund, library, health department, and various city-managed agencies and utilities. It will also vote on special assessments, projects in the capital budget, issuance of bonds, employee pay plans, and fees for the water utility and city fees and licenses.
   The draft budget for the City of Eau Claire was released on October 4. According to the City Manager's Budget Message at the beginning of the document, "The 2025 Proposed Budget for the City of Eau Claire, not including the capital budget, totals $190,288,829. Compared to the 2024 Adopted Budget, this represents a total increase of $11.4M, or 6.4 percent," said City Manager Stephanie Hirsch in the message. "The operating budget for the City of Eau Claire is comprised of various funds. The General Fund accounts for most of the City's core service and represents 50.71 percent of the total operating budget, followed by Enterprise Funds (23.89 percent), Special Revenue Funds (12.49 percent), Debt Service (7.21 percent), Internal Service Funds (5.44 percent), and Component Units (0.26 percent)."
   The fee schedule includes a number of increases, including a 9% increase in building permit fees for housing, and an increase in trash hauling licenses from $300 to $1200.
   Two budget amendments proposed by Council members will be considered during the process, one to increase the city's contribution to Downtown Eau Claire, Inc., (DECI) by $30,000 from the budget's proposed $50,000, and another to allocate $3,000 for a software program to be used by the Health Department. DECI is in the process of separating its management from the city and previously received $85,000 in the 2024 budget.   
   The Council adopted its 2025 capital budget in July.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Nov 11, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (9 pages)
    2025 Proposed Operating Budget (City of Eau Claire, opengov.com)
 • Tuesday, Nov 12, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (109 pages)
    Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
    City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire)
    Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
Click here to see the full proposed 2025 operating budget (City of Eau Claire)
2025 proposed fee schedule (City of Eau Claire)
City Budget: Budget Process and Current Documents (City of Eau Claire)
Adopted 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (City of Eau Claire)
City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update) 
City of Eau Claire proposes 400% cost increase for 2025 trash hauling licenses (WQOW News 18)

Eau Claire County adopts 2025 budget
   At its November 6 meeting, the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors adopted a $156.4 million budget for 2025, including a tax levy reduction of $1.2 million. The mill rate on county property tax bills was reduced from $3.261 to $2.915. Property tax revenues will make up $40.3 million of the 2025 budget.
More information:
2025 County Budget information (Eau Claire County)
Eau Claire County approved 2025 budget, potentially saving taxpayers money (Leader-Telegram $)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Nov 14, 6 p.m. Meeting information

Incumbents win local legislative races, Phelps wins open seat
Republicans retain narrowed majorities in State Assembly and Senate
   With all-new state legislative districts, the five incumbent Assembly members representing the Chippewa Valley retained their seats in the November 5 election. For those seats with districts covering parts of the City of Eau Claire, Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) won the redrawn 91st District in a competitive race vs. Republican Michele Skinner, Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) won the revised 92nd district vs. Democrat Joe Plouff, and Democrat Christian Phelps took the open 93rd District seat over Republican James Rolbiecki.
   The latter represents a party switch, as the 93rd was formerly represented by seven-term Republican Warren Petryk, who chose not to run for reelection. In other districts, the Republican incumbents won with comfortable margins: Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) in the 67th, Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) in the 68th, and Rep. Karen Hurd (R-Thorp). Among other area seats, former Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-New Richmond) was elected to the newly-drawn 28th District in St. Croix County. Kreibich previously represented the Eau Claire area in the State Assembly from 1993-2007.
   Before the election, the Chamber conducted sit-down video interviews with all 12 major party candidates for local legislative seats and all of them also participated in the Chamber's candidate questionnaire on economic issues. Click here to access this information to see what priorities those elected have promised to assert.
   In the State Senate, Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) was reelected to the 10th Senate District. With only even-numbered districts on the 2024 ballot, other area Senators Jesse James (R-Altoona, 23rd), Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire, 31st) and Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron, 25th) will not be up for reelection until 2026.
Republican majorities now 55-44 in the Assembly, 18-15 in the Senate
   With all-new districts across the state, Republicans managed to maintain control of both houses of the legislature, but with significantly reduced numbers. Democrats picked up four seats in the State Senate and ten in the Assembly. Republicans moved from a 65-34 majority in the Assembly to 55-44, and from 22-11 in the State Senate to 18-15.
December 20 Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast
   Area legislators are being invited to join us at our December Eggs & Issues to preview priorities for the new legislative session beginning in January.
 • Friday, Dec 20, 7:00-9:00 a.m.  Click here for details and registration

More information:
Full local election results (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
New 2024 State Assembly Districts (Wisconsin Legislature)
Van Orden, Moses, Emerson retain seats; Phelps wins open district (Leader-Telegram $)
Full election results: State Senate (WPR)
Full election results: State Assembly (WPR)
New maps help Wisconsin Democrats make legislative gains and set up a push for majorities in 2026 (AP)
Democrats flip key Wisconsin Senate seats (WPR)
Republicans retain majority in Wisconsin Assembly (WPR)
Democrats make key pickups in state Senate, narrow GOP majority (Journal-Sentinel +)
Democrats gained in the Wisconsin Legislature. Will it affect policy? (The Cap Times)
Former Wisconsin legislative leaders hopeful Democrat gains signal future bipartisanship (WPR)
Wisconsin Republicans elect new state Senate president (WPR)
Felzkowski elected Senate president (WisPolitics.com)

Van Orden reelected to 3rd District Congressional seat
Baldwin retains US Senate seat as Trump wins Wisconsin Electoral Votes
   Tuesday's election saw first-term Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) defeat Democrat Rebecca Cooke (D-Eau Claire) 51.4% to 48.6%, while incumbent US Senator Tammy Baldwin narrowly defeated her Republican challenger, Eric Hovde, 49.4% to 48.5%. Republican Donald Trump won the tight race for Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes 49.7% to 48.9%.
Voters approve Constitutional Amendment
   A state Constitutional Amendment to clarify that only citizens can vote in elections in Wisconsin passed with over 70% of the vote.
More information:
Election Results 2024: Key Races (WPR)
Derrick Van Orden wins reelection in competitive congressional race (WPR)
Rep. Van Orden shares next steps after getting reelected, Cooke gives concession speech (WQOW News 18)
Derrick Van Orden talks about plans for his second term (WEAU 13 News)
Van Orden discusses win, what's next in Congress (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin pledges to work with Trump and calls for less division (AP)
Explanation of the Constitutional Amendment (John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware LLSC)

ECASD passes $18 million referendum with 64%
   A 4-year operating referendum proposed by the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) passed overwhelmingly with 64% of the vote. ECASD sought $18 million annually to ensure:
 • High quality, research-based reading instruction and stability of educational programs
 • Behavioral and mental health resources
 • Safe school environments
 • Appropriate staff-to-student ratios to ensure academic, social, and emotional success for students
   In the region, other districts who successfully passed referendums included Cameron and Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan.
   Overall, Wisconsin voters approved 108 of 138 proposed school referendums, totaling $3.4 billion. In Madison, voters there approved two school referendums and a city property tax referendum.
More information:
Referendum information page (ECASD)
ECASD, Cameron, Alma Center-Humbird-Merillian, other districts see November referendums pass (Leader-Telegram $)
Voters approve tax increases for many Wisconsin school districts (WPR)
Voters approve record $3.4 billion in school referendums (WisPolitics.com +)
Madison voters pass property tax referendum, other communities reject raising funds (WPR)
Voters pass Madison’s $22M referendum to avoid service cuts (The Cap Times)
Madison voters approve $607M in ‘unprecedented’ school referendums (The Cap Times)

Eau Claire County officers reelected
Also on the ballot were the following county offices, all incumbents who were unopposed:
Eau Claire County District Attorney: Peter J. Rindal (Democratic)
Eau Claire County Clerk: Sue McDonald (Democratic)
Eau Claire County Treasurer: Glenda Lyons (Democratic)
Eau Claire County Register of Deeds: Tina Pommier (Democratic)

More election stories...

Wisconsin had record-high number of voters Tuesday, based on preliminary totals (Journal-Sentinel +)
Blue counties in a sea of red: Analyzing the election in northwest Wisconsin (WPR)
Election results show how Wisconsin’s urban-rural divide continues to deepen (WPR)

President-elect Trump names Susie Wiles as chief of staff, making her first woman in the post (AP)

The scramble is on to fill out Trump's cabinet (Wall Street Journal +)

Molson-Coors announces closure of Leinenkugel breweries
Production to move to Miller Milwaukee plant, Leinie Lodge to stay open
   After 157 years, Chicago-based Molson-Coors announced last week that it will close its Leinenkugel breweries in Chippewa Falls and Milwaukee by January 17, moving production to its Miller plant in Milwaukee.
   The closure affects 90 employees, 56 of them in Chippewa Falls, according to notices filed with the state. According to reporting by Volume One, total production of Leinenkugel brands has declined in recent years, and the Chippewa Falls plant was subject to a strike last year.
   Officials have indicated that the popular Leinie Lodge and pilot brewery in Chippewa Falls will remain open.
More information:
After 157 Years, Chippewa Falls Leinenkugel's Brewery is Closing (Volume One)
Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls to cease most operations (Leader-Telegram $)
56 workers to lose jobs when Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls closes in January (WEAU 13 News)
Molson Coors will eliminate 90 jobs with Leinenkugel’s brewery closings (BizTimes)
Molson Coors to close Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls (WPR)
Leinenkugel Brewing is ending its 157 years in Chippewa Falls. Production is shifting to Milwaukee (Journal-Sentinel +)
'Is there any other choice?' Chippewa Falls community reflect on cultural impact, acceptance, and moving forward in wake of Leinenkugel's brewery closure (WQOW News 18)
Statement on Jacob Leinenkugel Brewery Closure (Chippewa Falls Area Chamber)

Local student to compete in DC at National Civics Bee Nov 12
   The local DeLong Middle School student who won the first Wisconsin Civics Been earlier this year will be in Washington, DC, this week to compete in the National Civics Bee. Rya Mousavi of Eau Claire will represent Wisconsin at the November 12 event, which is organized by the Civics Trust and supported by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. It's designed as a nonpartisan initiative to enhance civic literacy, skills, and participation. Tuesday's event will be streamed online for those who wish to watch. See the link below for details and to register.
2025 Civics Bee competition now open
   The Eau Claire Chamber is one of the regional hosts sites for the 2025 Wisconsin Civics Bee. Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round of civics essay competition. The competition begins with a 750-word civics essay where students are asked to identify a community issue and propose how they could help improve it. In each region, the top 20 essays will be selected to advance to a live event on April 12. The portal for essay submissions is now open, with a deadline of February 4, 2025. Click here for details.
More information:
National Civics Bee and registration information for November 12 (US Chamber Foundation)
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Launches 2025 National Civics Bee® (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
DeLong Student Wins First-Ever Wisconsin Civics Bee (Volume One)