Nancy Coffey reelected Eau Claire County Board Chair
Seven new County Board members seated; Eau Claire City Council seats two new members, reelects Emily Anderson as Vice President
Eau Claire County Supervisor Nancy Coffey was reelected as County Board Chair by her fellow members last Tuesday as part of the County Board's Organizational Meeting following the April 2 election. Coffey was elected over Supervisor Steve Chilson in a 17 to 12 vote. Seven of the Board's 29 members were newly elected in April, with 22 incumbents being reelected.
At the Eau Claire City Council's Organizational Meeting the same evening, Council Member Emily Anderson was reelected Council Vice President. (In Eau Claire, the Council President, Emily Berge, was elected directly by the voters in the April 2023 election). Newly seated members were Aaron Brewster, District 3, and Clara Serrano, District 4. Council members Jeremy Gragert and Jill Christopherson did not seek reelection. Also sworn in for 3-year terms were reelected incumbents Jessica Schoen, District 1, Emily Anderson, District 2, and Andrew Werthmann, District 5. The Council's five at-large seats will be up for election in April 2025.
In the City of Altoona, the only office on the ballot in April was Mayor. Brendan Pratt was reelected to a 3-year terms unopposed.
In Chippewa County, Chuck Hull was elected County Board Chair. Former Chair Dean Gullickson did not run for reelection to the Board.
More information:
2024 Spring Election results (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
District Representatives (Eau Claire County)
New supervisors and council members take their seats (Leader-Telegram $)
Hull narrowly wins Chippewa County Board chairman race (Leader-Telegram $)
County proposes new changes to rules of board (Leader-Telegram $)

City of Altoona seeks applicants for City Council vacancy
Downtown container park to open by late summer
The City of Altoona is seeking applicants for Aldermanic District 3 (Wards 4 and 5), whose City City Council seat will be vacated on April 30 because of the resignation of Jon Olson. A new member will be appointed by the City Council to serve until the next election in April 2025. Applicants must reside in the district, and must submit a letter and resume by May 15 to the City Clerk's office at 1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona. For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 715-839-6092.
The City held an open house at River Prairie Center on April 18 to update the community on plans for its downtown Container Park and introduce its vendors. Assistant City Manager Roy Atkinson provided details on the plans and said the City hopes to have the site open by late summer.
River Prairie Complete, TIF extension will provide $6 million for affordable housing
During the Chamber's Eggs & Issues "State of the City" presentation on April 12, Altoona Mayor Brendan Pratt announced that the River Prairie development is now complete with the sale of the final parcel of land in the development. Pratt and City Administrator Mike Golat talked about the planning the city has undertaken to encourage and handle the significant growth it has experienced over the past few years. Its population grew 23.7% between the 2000 and 2020 census counts, and experienced another 12.3% estimated increase since 2020. Golat said the city's equalized value has now reached $1.2 billion.
Completion of River Prairie will also allow closure of the related Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. The City Council has decided to exercise its option to extend the TIF one more year, which is allowed under state law to be used exclusively for affordable housing. That extension is estimated to generate $6 million.
More information:
Report: Eggs & Issues: State of the City - Altoona (Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce)
PowerPoint Visuals from Altoona's Eggs & Issues presentation
City of Altoona website
Altoona announces completion of River Prairie (Leader-Telegram)
Altoona container park to be finished by late summer (Leader-Telegram $)
Open House Held for Altoona Container Park (WEAU 13 News)
Open house shares updates on Altoona's 'Container Park' (WQOW News 18)

Free Eau Claire Transit bus rides April 22-27 for Earth Week
To promote Earth Week and transit ridership, Eau Claire Transit rides will be free the week of April 22-27. The City Council at its April 9 meeting accepted donations from the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance, Local ATU 1310, and JONAH to cover what would normally be collected in fares that week.
The Council meets with a Legislative Session this week on Tuesday evening, but there was no business requiring a Monday evening Public Hearing.
After Tuesday's meeting, the Council will have a work session to discuss the potential redevelopment options for the Oakwood Mall area.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, Apr 22, Public Hearing (canceled)
• Tuesday, Apr 23, Legislative Session Agenda Packet (110 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)
  City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
Free bus rides and transit routes/schedules: ECbus.org

Also meeting this week...

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. Links to agenda and info

Other local stories...

ECASD receives proposal to continue contract with ECVS, monitors last of district results (Leader-Telegram $)

With 5 new programs approved at Stout, faculty leaders speak on why the push was made (Leader-Telegram $)

Interview: New film documents Uniroyal tire plant closing in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
‘WHEN RUBBER HIT THE ROAD’: Local Doc Details Closure of Uniroyal Tire Plant (Volume One)

L.E. Phillips Library Seeks Public Input on Programming (Volume One)

Chippewa Falls, sand plant settle lawsuit over 2021 tax bill (Leader-Telegram $)

Eau Claire lands cover story in Wisconsin Meetings Magazine
Eau Claire was featured as the cover story in Wisconsin Meetings Magazine's Spring edition. The story highlights the Chippewa Valley's meeting and event spaces, as well as the many exciting things to do in the area that can complement events.
More information:
Wisconsin Meetings Spring 2024 Full Issue (Wisconsin Meetings)

Chamber "Bravo to Business" Award nominations open
Nomination deadline May 10, Business Awards event Oct 17
Get ready to clap your hands and cheer because it's time for the Bravo to Business Awards! We're on the lookout for the shining stars of our community – those amazing businesses that are lighting up Eau Claire with their innovation, excellence, and community spirit.
Do you know a business that's setting the bar sky-high with their awesomeness? We want to hear about them! Whether they're a small but mighty team, a big player in the business world, a fresh newcomer, or a resilient force, we want to celebrate their brilliance.
Small Business of the Year - open to Chamber member businesses with under 50 full-time employees AND in business for 3 or more years
Business of the Year - open to Chamber member businesses with 50 or more full-time employees AND in business for 3 or more years
Emerging Business of the Year - open to any Chamber member OR non-member business with 25 or fewer full-time employees AND in business for less than 3 years
Resilient Business of the Year - open to any Chamber member business
Young Professionals Best Place to Work - open to any Chamber member business with 5 or more full-time employees
Nominations are open until Friday, May 10, with the Awards event on Thursday, October 17. Click here to nominate a business

Joint Finance Committee ignores special meeting call by Evers
As expected, the legislature's Joint Finance Committee (JFC) ignored Governor Tony Evers' call for to convene a special meeting last Tuesday, April 16, to release to the DNR $125 million appropriated in the state budget for PFAS remediation, and to DHS $15 million for hospital services in the Chippewa Valley.
"The Governor has no authority to call the committee into a meeting. According the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, ‘The governor may call a meeting of JCF but may not require the JCF cochairpersons to convene any meeting, require JCF to consider any matter, or compel any member to attend that meeting.’"
The Democratic Governor and Republican legislative leaders are at an impasse over $125 million included in the state budget for PFAS remediation. Evers vetoed a GOP bill that would have provided grants to assist with PFAS clean up. The Governor said it would have left polluters off the hook and limit DNR authority, but Republicans said it was important not to penalize "innocent landowners" with PFAS contamination through no fault of their own.
“If Governor Evers were serious about addressing PFAS contamination and supporting healthcare in the Chippewa Valley, he would have signed the bills the Legislature sent him to alleviate these issues,” said JFC Co-Chairs Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam).
Evers was also asking JFC is release the $15 million Chippewa Valley healthcare funding to DHS for the grant program it proposed after Evers vetoed the bill specifying the use of the funds for emergency services. To date, no specific proposals have been released from providers for the potential use of the funds. Republican JFC members and local legislators have said they want to see how the funds would be used before supporting release of the money to DHS.
More information:
Evers again demands PFAS money; Republicans say its game-playing (The Center Square)
Western Wisconsin leaders focus on future health care expansions despite delay in state support (WPR)
$15 million for Chippewa Valley emergency rooms still in limbo (WEAU 13 News)

More healthcare stories...

Ambitious Effort Aims to Create Community-Owned Hospital (Volume One)

City calls for investigation into HSHS (Leader-Telegram $)

Hospital funding is ‘Byzantine Jenga,’ Froedtert ThedaCare CEO says (The Cap Times) "The recent closing of hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls is just the latest sign that the economics of the health care industry aren’t working, Catherine Jacobson, the CEO of Froedtert ThedaCare Health, said."

UW-Eau Claire students to conduct research at Mayo Clinic through NIH grant (UWEC)

Health Department: It’s Critical to Dispose of Unused Meds on Drug Take-Back Day (Volume One)

The HSHS/Prevea Task Force continues to work on addressing the ramifications of recent facility closures.
Click here: Task Force website to stay informed and sign up for updates

Marquette Poll shows tight Wisconsin
Presidential, US Senate races
Legislative races coming into focus
A new Marquette Law School Poll survey of Wisconsin finds Republican former President Donald Trump supported by 51% of registered voters and Democratic President Joe Biden by 49%. Among likely voters also, Trump is the choice of 51% and Biden of 49%.
In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin is supported by 52% and Republican challenger Eric Hovde by 47% among registered voters. Among likely voters, the race is a tie, with 50% for both Baldwin and Hovde.
In addition to these races, all eight Wisconsin Congressional districts will be on the ballot. The local 3rd Congressional seat, currently held by Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien), is expected to be competitive. The 5th District is an open seat with the retirement of Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Green Bay). Former Congressman and State DOR Secretary Peter Barca this week announced his candidacy to challenge Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville).
There is also a lot of attention being played to legislative races as candidates for state offices begin to circulate nominating petitions, with a submission deadline of June 1. Voters will first see ballots with new districts for the August 12 Primary, then vote for all 99 Assembly seats and even-numbered Senate districts at the November 5 election. The fall election features all new legislative districts.
More information:
Marquette Law School Poll finds very close presidential, U.S. Senate races in Wisconsin (Marquette Law School Poll)
Trump, Baldwin hold narrow Wisconsin leads in latest Marquette poll (WPR)
52% of registered voters back Baldwin over Hovde in the latest Marquette University poll (Appleton Post-Crescent +)
Marquette Law School Poll: Trump leads Biden 51-49 (The Center Square)
Tammy Baldwin fights to maintain appeal in rural Wisconsin amid Democratic slide (NBC News)
Barca campaign: Announces campaign For Congress (news release)
Former Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Peter Barca announces new bid for Congress (AP)
Democrat Peter Barca to challenge Bryan Steil in 1st Congressional District (Journal-Sentinel +)
Rob Summerfield announces candidacy for re-election to the 68th Assembly District (WEAU 13 News)
Link to 2024 legislative maps (Wisconsin Legislature)
Interactive map: Check the boxes at the upper left to select Assembly, Senate, and/or Congressional Districts. Zoom in to find you location and who your representatives are.
Status of 2024 Wisconsin Assembly races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
Status of 2024 Wisconsin Senate races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
Want to run for public office in Wisconsin? Here are 5 things to consider (WPR)

More election-related stories...

People with disabilities sue in Wisconsin over lack of electronic absentee ballots (AP)

Republican Party has won 80% of school board seats in Waukesha County (Journal-Sentinel +)

Deepfakes, distrust and disinformation: Welcome to the AI election (Politico)

Latest episode...
"Talking Po!nt" podcast
Episode 5: What legislative redistricting means to you
Creative Director Chelsea Seckora introduces the Chamber's President & CEO, Dave Minor, and Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs. After a brief update on the status of the HSHS Prevea Task Force, we focus on what you should know about engaging with elected officials. And with the fall election coming up, we talk about how new Wisconsin legislative districts will impact what you'll see in your voting booth this fall.
Listen: Talking Po!nt Episode 5 (40 mins.)

Wisconsin Policy Forum: State's finances in best shape in years
Four years after the arrival of COVID-19, the state of Wisconsin’s finances are the strongest on record, thanks to federal relief aid and the actions of state leaders. From ample cash reserves to low debt, the state measures up well on key fiscal metrics. But recent decisions to cut taxes and increase spending will reduce some of these advantages this year, leaving policymakers with important questions to consider in the next state budget.
More information:
Report: A High Water Mark for State Budget? (Wisconsin Policy Forum)
Wisconsin’s finances in best shape in decades (The Center Square)

More state and regional stories...

WMC lawsuit asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to strike down governor’s 400-year veto (AP)

Wisconsin Legislature sues Gov. Tony Evers over partial vetoes to literacy program bill (Wisconsin State Journal +)
Wisconsin Legislature sues Evers, DPI over reading bill (WPR)

Wisconsin Supreme Court justices question how much power Legislature should have (AP)

In Focus: Sen. James details changes to missing children alerts (Spectrum News)
Evers signs bill that expands alert system to include missing children (Leader-Telegram $)

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce Infrastructure Grant to Aid Economic Development around Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Northeast Wisconsin (Office of the Governor)

Homicide, other major crime stats down in Milwaukee (WISN)

Visit Milwaukee rebrand centers on city’s cultural diversity, fresh water assets (BizTimes)

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley awards $800K in federal funding for early childhood development services (Journal-Sentinel +)

Town closes on $17M deal to secure ferry service to Madeline Island (WPR)

Earth Day: How a senator’s idea more than 50 years ago got people fighting for their planet (AP)

National and economic stories...

US Chamber: Tax Relief and Workers Act still stalled in US Senate
More than two months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (357–70) to pass H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. The U.S. Chamber vocally supported the bill’s passage in the House, after which we immediately pivoted to supporting its advancement in the Senate. Despite receiving overwhelming, bipartisan support in the House, the bill has stalled in the Senate, where some key Republicans continue to weigh their options. If you have not already done so, now is the time to weigh in directly with your senators and urge them to support this important legislation. Our message is simple: Senators cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good and must act quickly to restore these important business tax provisions.
Click here to view our new one-pager that focuses on the need to act urgently to retroactively restore R&D expensing. And click here to find the phone number to connect with your senators’ offices.

Fed Chair Powell says there has been a ‘lack of further progress’ this year on inflation (CNBC)

US homes sales dropped last month as March prices reached a record high (CNN Business)

Biden administration releases formal proposal for new student loan forgiveness plan (CNBC)

Food for thought...

Minnesotans fleeing to western Wisconsin (Mike Nichols, Badger Institute)

There’s More Than One Way To Save a Street Tree (Strong Towns)

COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)

Mark your calendar:

Chamber/UW-Eau Claire Business Community Breakfast
• Tuesday, Apr 30

Eggs & Issues: Economic Development Update
• Thursday, May 9

Chamber Royale
• Thursday, May 16

Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Aug 5

"Bravo to Business" Awards
• Thursday, Oct 17

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