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Volume 7, Issue 45, Mar 24, 2025
 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 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

In this issue:
 • April 1 Election: Early voting continues through Friday
 • Chamber provides EC City Council candidate videos, questionnaires
 • EC City Council: Tree policy, Evergreen Terrace rezoning
 • JFC sets dates for state budget hearings
 • 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 "+"

Chamber/UWEC Business Community Breakfast
   Join us for breakfast and discussion as UW–Eau Claire launches its new 2030 Strategic Vision and Plan for Distinction. Our curated agenda will showcase the innovation and transformation this vision is empowering across the campus, how the outcomes are focused on making a positive impact on local businesses, and graduating the next generation of leaders who will help shape the future of the Chippewa Valley region.
 • Wednesday, April 9, UWEC Davies Center
    Click here for details and to register (Registration deadline April 2)

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Tues, Apr 22
   This annual event is a unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. In these first six months of the new year, the Legislature is tackling the 2025-27 biennial budget, which sets the spending and priorities for the state over the next two years.
   You may know that we'd originally planned to be in Madison earlier this month, but postponed the event because of the winter storm warning that also cancelled all schools in the area. We've now rescheduled for Tuesday, April 22, and reopened registration.
How it works
   When you participate in the Rally, you'll spend a productive day taking part in issue briefings, small group meetings at legislative offices, a keynote luncheon, and networking with others from our area who are interested in state government policy. And don't worry if you've never participated before. Our legislative office meetings will be led by experienced previous attendees.
   At the Rally, we'll deliver to policymakers a shared consensus on issues important to the economy of the Chippewa Valley. This year's topics include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, the state's role in addressing homelessness, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. Click here to see the 2025 Issues
   Optional same day charter bus transportation is available. We also have special hotel rates for those who want to travel on their own and combine their trip with other business.
Full information:
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Organized by the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce.
• Wednesday, Apr 22, Madison
   Click here for details and to register

April 1 Spring Election: Early voting open through Friday
   Early absentee voting for the April 1 Spring Election is now open, available in local municipalities weekdays through Friday, March 28.
   In the City of Eau Claire, early in-person absentee voting will be in the Elections Office across the alley behind City Hall weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the City of Altoona, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Avenue. In the Town of Washington, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at the Town Hall, 5750 Old Town Hall Road. For other Eau Claire County municipalities, click here to find your clerk to get early voting information. In other counties, check with your county or municipal clerk.
   On Election Day, Tuesday, April 1, polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
   This year's Spring Nonpartisan Election includes statewide races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Superintendent of Public Instruction; local elections for city councils, town boards, school boards, and local judgeships; and a Constitutional Amendment to put the state's voter ID requirement in the state constitution.
   To see what's on your ballot, request an absentee ballot, or find your polling place, go to MyVote.WI.gov
More information:
In person absentee voting begins Tuesday for April 1 election (WQOW News 18)
City of Eau Claire begins in-person absentee voting; anticipating high election turnout (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin clerks see surge of early, in-person voting ahead of April Supreme Court election (WPR)
EC City Council: Chamber sit-down video interviews and
candidate questionnaires now available
   Locally, there are seven candidates for five open At-Large seats on the Eau Claire City Council, including incumbents Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, and Joshua Miller; along with newcomers Nate Otto, Mary Catherine Partlow, Ethan Reed, and Philip Swanhorst. Incumbents Kate Felton and Roderick Jones are not seeking reelection. 
   The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides resources to help voters make informed choices. We conducted five-minute sit-down video interviews with each candidate, and our Good Government Council provided a written questionnaire answered by all seven candidates.
Click these links:
2025 EC City Council Sit-Down Interviews (Eau Claire Chamber, YouTube)
EC City Council Candidate Questionnaire responses (Good Govt Council)
More information:
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce releases interviews, questionnaires with all 7 city council candidates (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce releases Candidate Interview Videos and Candidate Questionnaires for Eau Claire City Council election (WEAU 13 News)
Other local elections
   The Spring Election also features three districts seats on the Altoona City Council, two seats on the Altoona School Board, three seats on the Eau Claire School Board, and Eau Claire County Circuit Court Judge Branch 2. There are no contests in any of these races. For Altoona City Council, District 1 incumbent Dale Stuber and District 2 incumbent Timothy Lima are unopposed, while no one filed for District 3. On the ballot for two seats for the Altoona School Board are incumbent Jeremy Zook and newcomer Robert Melland. For the Eau Claire School Board, incumbents Stephanie Farrar and Tim Nordin are on the ballot, along with Jasmine Case, for three seats. And for Eau Claire County Circuit Judge, recently-appointed incumbent Doug Hoffer is unopposed.
   Area voters will also see on their ballot Court Of Appeals Judge District 3 in which incumbent Lisa Stark is unopposed.
Statewide races draw national attention
   With an open 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court that will determine the so-called conservative vs. liberal makeup of the court, the contest between former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford is generating significant spending and national attention. The candidates have held one debate.
   Also significant is the election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, with incumbent Jill Underly being challenged by Brittany Kinser. And ballots include a Constitutional Amendment to put the state's voter ID requirement in the state constitution.
More information:
Video: Crawford-Schimel Debate (59:30, WISN, YouTube)
Susan Crawford, Brad Schimel square off in debate for high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race (WPR)
Overwhelmed by Supreme Court sex predator attack ads? Here's what Schimel, Crawford sentencing records show (Journal-Sentinel +)
Musk group offers $100 to Wisconsin voters ahead of pivotal state Supreme Court election (AP)
Schimel receives Trump endorsement, campaigns in town of Tilden (Leader-Telegram $)
Walz visits Eau Claire, encourages public to support Crawford in state Supreme Court race (Leader-Telegram $)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz holds town hall event in Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)
Kinser, Underly clash over status of Wisconsin schools during joint forum (WisPolitics.com)
State superintendent candidates Jill Underly, Brittany Kinser trade barbs in only forum before April 1 election (WPR)
Voter ID in Wisconsin: What to know about Wisconsin’s April 1 referendum (WPR)

Other election stories:
Four candidates seek seats on CF school board (Leader-Telegram $)

Eau Claire City Council: Tree policy, Evergreen Terrace rezoning
   The Eau Claire City Council meets this week. Among the items on the Public Hearing agenda on Monday evening is a rezoning of 39 acres at Evergreen Terrace and Lowes Creek Rd on the City's south side to allow for single family and twin homes. The development anticipates 109 single family lots and 42 twin homes. (See pages 5-10 of the Monday Agenda Packet linked below.) There will also be a public discussion of a resolution proposed by City Council Members Andrew Werthmann and Kate Felton supporting an update of the City's Tree Ordinance and the exploration of a board, committee, or commission "to lead future policy recommendations, with the goal of preserving, protecting, and expanding our urban tree canopy while bolstering the City Forestry Department’s operations through enhanced fiscal resilience and community engagement." (See pages 18-20 of the Monday Agenda Packet.)
   Tuesday's Legislative Session will act upon these and other issues, including the appointments to various city boards, commissions, and committees (see pages 53-55 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below). The appointments item also includes a resolution setting forth the Advisory Committee on Appointments policy related to appointments of individuals to Business Improvement Districts.
   Following the Tuesday meeting, the agenda anticipates that the Council will go into closed session to conduct the annual performance evaluation process of the City Manager.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Mar 24, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (20 pages)
 • Tuesday, Mar 25, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (125 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)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Mar 24, 7 p.m. (closed session 6 p.m.)  Meeting information

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Mar 13, 6 p.m. Meeting information

More local stories...
UW-Eau Claire's New Science and Health Sciences Building Makes Steady Progress (Volume One)
Inaugural Apprenticeship Fair Aims to Connect Local Businesses With Students (Volume One)
January local employment and unemployment data released (WEAU 13 News)
EC Chamber prepares for area finalists to compete in local civics bee competition (Leader-Telegram $)
Vacant Housing Authority property used for police training (Leader-Telegram $)
New solar facility goes online in the town of Hallie (Leader-Telegram $)
New solar facility opens in the Chippewa Valley to power three major partners (WEAU 13 News)
One year since HSHS hospitals closed, WI legislators share where we stand now (WEAU 13 News)
Area health clinics look to the future one year after HSHS Hospital closures (WQOW News 18)
Chippewa Valley Health Co-op Could Reopen St. Joseph’s Hospital As Soon As This Winter (Volume One)
Eau Claire celebrates 153rd birthday and honors history of founding (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire’s Boba Game is About to Level Up With Sweet Boba House (Volume One)
Some gas stations transition from Holiday to Circle K (WEAU 13 News)
Market on River building in Chippewa Falls wins statewide award (WQOW News 18)

Joint Finance Committee announces four
statewide budget listening sessions
   As part of deliberations over Wisconsin's biennial state budget, the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance has announced four in-person hearings in April.
   "As the Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), we invite you to provide comments and input. You will also find this website to be a helpful tool when looking for upcoming budget hearings and other documents pertaining to the budget process," Representative Mark Born and Senator Howard Marklein said on the website announcing the hearings.
   The listening sessions will be April 2 in Kaukauna, April 4 in West Allis, April 28 in Hayward, and April 29 in Wausau.
More information:
Statewide Budget Listening Sessions (Joint Committee on Finance)

More state and regional stories...
Wisconsin gained population in 2023. How much it gained might surprise you. (Journal-Sentinel +)
US Migration Trends: Texas Overtakes Florida, Becomes The Nation’s Top State For Net Migration (StorageCafe)
Report: Wisconsin’s net migration soars to levels not seen in decades (Wisconsin Policy Forum)
Migration to Wisconsin reaches highest level in 20 years (WQOW News 18)
Wisconsin boasts record nonfarm job numbers, outpacing national employment rates (WAOW)
Envoy Air set to replace American Airlines in La Crosse (WEAU 13 News)