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Volume 7, Issue 34, Jan 6, 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
 Closed January 1st

In this issue:
 • State Legislature to begin 2025-26 session today
 • State pop estimated to decline by 2050, but EC County projected + 12.2% 
 • Local Civics Bee now open for Middle School students
 • Jan 7 filing deadline for April election
 • Mike Johnson reelected US House Speaker
 • 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 "+"

Eggs & Issues: Tackling Our Childcare Challenges
   The availability and affordability of childcare has become an increasingly acute issue for employers, families, and childcare providers. It has inhibited the ability of families to take full advantage of employment opportunities and for employers to have full access to the potential talent pool. At this session of Eggs & Issues, we'll take a look at the challenges involved and hear about potential policy solutions.
• Friday, Jan 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Eggs & Issues: Washington Insights from the US Chamber
   How will the new players in Washington impact business and the economy in the Chippewa Valley? With the new Administration and Congress in place, and a continuing resolution expiring in March, John Kirchner from the US Chamber will provide us insights into the new power structure in DC. Learn what issues are getting the most attention, and how the US Chamber is advocating for a positive business climate. John Kirchner is Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce.
• Friday, Feb 21, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
    A unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance, representing the Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Eau Claire Chambers of Commerce.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Also for your calendar...
 • 2025 Human Resource Conference - Thursday, Jan 16, 2025
 • Eau What A Night - 110th Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Jan 30
 • Business Solutions Summit - Wednesday, Feb 26

Wisconsin State Legislative session begins today
   Following last November's election, the new two-year session of the Wisconsin State Legislature kicks off today, January 6, with a significant number of new faces. With all-new district lines, even re-elected incumbents are representing districts with significant changes in their boundaries.
   A new session brings with it the enactment of a two-year state budget, which will set the direction of spending priorities for state government. Democratic Governor Tony Evers continues in office, while Republicans continue to control both the State Senate and Assembly, but with smaller margins than in the previous biennium. Click the Wisconsin Legislature website link below to see the updated names and committee assignments for both the State Senate and Assembly.
Mar 5 Chippewa Valley Rally will bring regional priorities to Madison
   The 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - organized by the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce - will provide an opportunity for local business and community leaders to bring regional economic priorities to policymakers. It will take place on Wednesday, March 5. Mark your calendar and click the link below for details.
More information:
Wisconsin Legislature website (Wisconsin Legislature)
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally (Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance)
Homelessness and mental health hot topics at Chamber event (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin legislative leaders consider policy priorities and state politics in 2025 (PBS Wisconsin)
Top politics stories WPR reporters are watching in 2025 (WPR)
A new legislative session starts soon in Madison. Here's what you can expect (WTMJ)
New Wisconsin state legislators prepare for session (Wisconsin Examiner)
Video: Previewing legislative priorities for Republicans and Democrats in 2025 (6:15, Spectrum 1 News)
After failed attempts, Wisconsin lawmakers will try again to address PFAS (WPR)
Evers asks for referendum overhaul so citizens can vote directly on changing laws, Wisconsin Constitution (WPR)
Bice: The winners and losers from a topsy-turvy year in Wisconsin politics (Journal-Sentinel +)

Report: Wisconsin population estimated to decline 200,00 by 2050, but Eau Claire County projected to have 12.2% growth
   According to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, the state is projected to decline slightly in population between now and 2050, but county-by-county projections estimate Eau Claire County would grow to 118,625 by that date, an increase of 12.2%.
More information:
Wisconsin's population is projected to lose nearly 200,000 people by 2050, report says (Journal-Sentinel +)
Link to Wisconsin Dept. of Administration estimates (DOA)

National Civics Bee for middle school students
now open with Eau Claire regional competition
1st Step: Essay portal now open with Feb 4 deadline
   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:
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)
EC Chamber talks expectations, changes, volunteering ahead of 2025 regional civics bee (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: Civics bee offers great opportunity for students (Leader-Telegram editorial)
Civics Bee Essay Judges needed
   Volunteers are needed to judge the essays written as the first stop of the 2025 Civics Bee competition. The deadline to register to be considered as a judge is January 17. 
Click this link to learn more:
Volunteer Opportunity: Civics Bee Essay Judge
or contact Tina Probst: probst@eauclairechamber.org 

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Jan 6, 7 p.m.  Meeting information

City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)

City of Eau Claire Housing Survey is Open Through Jan. 15 (Volume One)

More news stories...

Marshfield Clinic completes merger with South Dakota-based Sanford Health (WPR)
Marshfield, Sanford complete health care merger (Leader-Telegram $)

Where road work is planned in Eau Claire in 2025 (WQOW News 18)

Eau Claire Express Reveal New Logos Ahead of 20th Year (Volume One)

Shelters in La Crosse area see increase in attendance numbers (WEAU 13 News)

Volume One’s Top 10 Stories of 2024 (Volume One)

Spring Election features statewide Supreme Court and DPI
races, local judicial, municipal and school board seats
Nominating petitions began circulating Dec 1, deadline Jan 7
  The April 1 Spring Non-Partisan Election will include a race for an open seat for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a statewide election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, other judgeships at the district and county level, and various seats on local city councils, town boards, and school boards.
Candidates must file nominating petitions by January 7 and could begin collecting signatures on December 1.
   In the City of Eau Claire, the April ballot will include the five elected at-large council members, who will serve a three-year term. There are also five district representatives and the City Council President who make up the 11-member body. Election of each category is staggered, with district representatives most recently elected in 2024, and the City Council President seat up next in 2026. Incumbent Council Members Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, and Josh Miller have announced reelection plans and filed nomination papers. As of Jan 2, newcomers Nate Otto, Mary Catherine Partlow, and Philip Swanhorst had submitted nomination papers.  Council members Kate Felton and Rod Jones have filed notices of noncandidacy. 
More information:
5 city council seats up for election in April 2025 (WEAU 13 News)
Spring 2025 Election Information - all races (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Wisconsin's next elections are in February and April. Here's what's on the 2025 ballot. (Journal-Sentinel +)
After an intense election season, the political focus shifts to state races in Wisconsin (Journal-Sentinel +)

Talking Po!nt Episode 9
Chamber Leaders highlight 2024 and talk goals for 2025
   Eau Claire Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor sits down with Andy Neborak, the current Chamber Board Chair from Impact Advertising, and Valerie Fedie from Wipfli, the incoming Board Chair. Together, they reflect on the key highlights from 2024, showcasing the Chamber's initiatives and impact over the past year and the goals set for 2025. Click here to listen (56:58)