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Note: The next issue of the Business Advocate will be Tuesday, Aug 6
In this issue:
• Early Voting opens Tuesday for Aug 13 Primary
• Top ballot items: Constitutional amendments, competitive races for
nominations for 3rd District Congress, some Assembly seats
• EC City Council approves 2025 Capital Improvement Plan
• State, national, and economic stories
• 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 "+"
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Eggs & Issues: Washington Update with the US Chamber
Hear the latest on federal policy issues and their impact on business from John Kirchner, Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce. Get the insights into what's really happening in Washington that you won't see in the media, the US Chamber's priorities on key business issues, and a preview of what's at stake in the fall election. Benefit from timely insights on the week that the Democratic convention concludes and as the November election draws closer.
• Friday, Aug 23, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
Eggs & Issues: Fall Election Outlook with Bill McCoshen
With the November 5 election approaching, join us to preview the election's outlook for key offices at both the state and federal levels. We'll hear from Bill McCoshen of Michael Best Strategies, one of the state's top political experts. He will assess Wisconsin's statewide and legislative contests to provide us with clues to watch for as the campaign unfolds.
Note: Revised date
• Friday, Sep 27, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
All upcoming 2024 Eggs & Issues programs
Also for your summer calendar...
Business After Hours
• Monday, Aug 12 - Eau Claire Event District
Joint event with the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
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Early voting begins Tuesday for August 13 Primary
The countdown has begun for Wisconsin's upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, August 13. Voters will go to the polls for each political party to select candidates for US Senate, US Congress, and the State Legislature (All Assembly seats and even-numbered State Senate districts), who will then appear on the General Election ballot on November 5. August 13 also features two State Constitutional Amendments.
To find out what's on your ballot, register to vote, find your polling place, or request a mailed absentee ballot, click on: MyVoteWisconsin
You may also cast an in-person absentee ballot at your local municipality on weekdays, beginning Tuesday, July 30, through Friday, August 9.
Click here for information on early voting at Eau Claire County municipalities
Competitive Primaries for Congress, State Assembly
Locally, State Assembly races feature two primaries on the Democratic side, and in three districts on the Republican side, for the right to appear on the November ballot:
District 92. Democrats Caden Berg, a Chippewa County Board Member, and former Rep. Joseph Plouff of Menomonie, are facing off for the right to challenge Republican Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie.
District 93. Democrats Nickolas Butler, Fall Creek and Christian Phelps, Eau Claire, are running to face Republican: James Rolbiecki, a Town of Washington Board member, in November. (Incumbent Republican Warren Petryk is not seeking reelection after serving seven terms.)
District 67. There is a Republican primary between Rep. Dave Armstrong, Rice Lake, and Jimmy Swenson, Barron. The one Democrat on the ballot is Jeffrey Foster, Colfax.
District 68. The Republican primary includes Rep. Rob Summerfield, Bloomer, and Clifford Taylor, Ladysmith. The Democrat running is Richard Pulcher, Lublin.
District 69. A Republican contest between Rep. Karen Hurd, Thorp, and Lori Voss, Abbotsford. Also running are Democrat Roger Hills, Stanley, and Independent Joshua Kelley, Greenwood.
US Congress: In the 3rd Congressional District, three Democrats, Rebecca Cooke, Eau Claire, State Rep. Katrina Shankland, Stevens Point, and Eric Wilson, Eau Claire, are seeking the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Derrick Van Orden, Prairie du Chien.
Has your Assembly district changed? All new maps now in place.
To see what district in which you now vote, see the link below to access the interactive map on the Wisconsin Legislature's website. Check the boxes at the upper left to select Assembly, Senate, and/or Congressional Districts. Zoom in to find your location and your district.
Link to 2024 legislative maps (Wisconsin Legislature)
Register to vote, find what's on your ballot: MyVoteWisconsin
Legislative races across the state
Wispolitics.com has been tracking the new districts and candidate filings. To see who has filed in other parts of Wisconsin, see the links below:
2024 Wisconsin Assembly races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
2024 Wisconsin State Senate races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
August Constitutional referenda to decide
who spends Federal funds
By John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.
On Tuesday, August 13th, Wisconsin primary voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to limit the Governor’s current powers and give the legislature more control over funds received by the federal government.
To amend the state constitution, an identical resolution must pass both chambers of the legislature in two consecutive sessions before going to statewide referendum. That has happened, and now two specific questions go to the voters on August 13. Click here to continue reading...
More election stories...
Democratic candidates for WI's 3rd CD visit Eau Claire to talk about upcoming election (Leader-Telegram $)
Meet the candidates: Democratic Third Congressional District candidates share platform at forum (WQOW News 18)
Wisconsin lawmakers strike down three emergency election rules (The Center Square)
Ron Johnson says he has 'greater concerns' than ballot drop boxes (The Cap Times)
Kamala Harris outlines 2025 goals, from family leave to child care (The Cap Times)
Harris tells roaring Wisconsin crowd November election is ‘a choice between freedom and chaos’ (AP)
Kamala Harris paints a choice of 'chaos' vs. 'compassion' in swing state Wisconsin during first rally of presidential campaign (Journal-Sentinel +)
Trump says 'Milwaukee was beautiful' following the RNC (Journal-Sentinel +)
During Harris' Milwaukee-area rally, Donald Trump commits to a debate, calls her 'radical' (Journal-Sentinel +)
July 2024 Swing State Polls: Harris Trails Trump in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tied in Wisconsin (Emerson College)
Joe Biden addresses nation: 'Best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation' (Journal-Sentinel +)
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EC City Council adopts Five-year Capital Improvement Plan
At its meeting this past Tuesday, the Eau Claire City Council adopted its five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
After significant discussion, the Council voted to move $1 million from its 2028 allocation of $15 million for a future parking structure to use for its affordable housing fund in 2025. Otherwise, the plan was largely unchanged from what was proposed by city staff. With a parking study underway to help ascertain future parking needs, the topic will be revisited next year when the 2026 CIP is considered. The total annual amount of the CIP is about $50 million. The city will next move to consider its 2025 operating budget.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, July 22, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (32 pages)
• Tuesday, July 23, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (124 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)
Proposed 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (178 pages)
City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
City of Eau Claire struggles to tackle affordable housing shortage (Leader-Telegram $)
First city wheel tax-funded projects complete in Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)
Eggs & Issues panel discuss downtown homelessness issue, what is being done to address it (Leader-Telegram $)
More local stories...
Kenzi Havlicek named Visit Eau Claire Executive Director (Visit Eau Claire)
County officials say inflation is making it harder to maintain current levels of service as population grows (Leader-Telegram $)
ECASD discuss action plan, talking points for referendum (Leader-Telegram $)
Teacher retention not an issue in ECASD, substitute teachers needed though (WQOW News 18)
Evers visits Elk Mound, touts road improvements for ag industries (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire’s 30th Annual National Night Out - Tuesday, Aug 6 (City of Eau Claire)
National Night Out Returns on Aug. 6 (Volume One)
New trail opens in Menomonie (WEAU 13 News)
Transportation-related events coming up...
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Master Plan Open House
The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport will hold an Open House on its next Master Plan on Thursday, August 15, 6-8 p.m. with a brief presentation at 6:30. The event will cover existing and future Airport needs and improvements and various alternatives for the Airport’s facilities.
More information:
Airport Master Plan Open House
• Thursday, Aug 15, 6-8 p.m., Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
More information
Avenues of Possibilities Tour
Organized by: Transportation Development Assn of Wisconsin, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Public Transportation Assn, Wisconsin Bike Fed, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Assn, NEWaukee, and other partners.
The sponsors of the Avenues of Possibilities Tour are inviting local residents to participate in an event to help shape a brighter future in communities across the state of Wisconsin through targeted community improvements. The event will feature interactive workshops and talks from area leaders. The Eau Claire stop will include participation from the Eau Claire Chamber's VP Governmental Affairs, Scott Rogers, and others.
More information:
Avenues of Possibilities Tour
• Thursday, Aug 22, 5:00-7:00 p.m., SHIFT Cyclery and Coffee Bar
More details about Avenues of Possibilities
Click here for details and to register
Oct 25 Eggs & Issues to feature transportation initiatives
The Chamber's October Eggs & Issues policy breakfast will focus on significant issues affecting our region's transportation modes, including WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson and other speakers. Mark it on your calendar and register now.
More information:
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit
• Friday, Oct 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
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National and economic stories...
Senator Baldwin Introduces HSHS Act to Protect Communities from Hospital Closures (Office of US Senator Tammy Baldwin)
U.S. economic growth unexpectedly picks up in second quarter (Axios)
Secret Service director steps down after assassination attempt against ex-President Trump at rally (AP)
The Escalating Argument Over Historic Preservation (Governing)
Food for thought...
Nationwide Rent Control Is a Terrible Idea (John Gustavsson, The Dispatch)
Our View: Excitement building for County Materials Complex (Leader-Telegram $)
COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)
Mark your calendar:
Eggs & Issues: Washington Update with the US Chamber
• Friday, Aug 23
All upcoming 2024 Eggs & Issues programs
Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Aug 5
Business After Hours
• Monday, Aug 12
Partisan Primary Election
• Tuesday, Aug 13
Sonnentag Center Grand Opening
• Thursday, Sep 12
CVTC/Chamber Business Community Breakfast
• Tuesday, Sep 17
Eggs & Issues: Fall Election Outlook with Bill McCoshen
• Friday, Sep 27
Business Day in Madison
• Thursday, Oct 17
"Bravo to Business" Awards
• Wednesday, Oct 23
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit
• Friday, Oct 25
Eggs & Issues: Election Analysis with the Marquette Poll's Charles Franklin
• Friday, Nov 15
2024 Business Solutions Summit
• Wednesday, Nov 20
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
• Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025
Public Meetings Calendar
Click the link above for the our regularly updated schedule of public meetings.
Thanks for reading this issue of Business Advocate. If you have comments or questions, contact Scott Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs, at 715-858-0616 or rogers@eauclairechamber.org
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