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Volume 7, Issue 27, Nov 18, 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

In this issue:
 • City of Eau Claire adopts 2025 operating budget
 • Eau Claire is second-fastest growing major Wisconsin city
 • State Assembly and Senate picking leaders for 2025
 • Trump makes cabinet picks, Thune elected US Senate Majority Leader
 • Aspirus announces Chippewa Falls hospital, OakLeaf opens
    Eau Claire Urgent Care clinic
 • 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 "+"

Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast
   Get a preview of the key state legislative issues in 2025 from members of the State Senate and Assembly who will represent the Chippewa Valley region beginning in January. This is an excellent opportunity to get a preview of the key priorities that our local lawmakers will be taking to Madison for the 2025-27 budget session. Co-sponsored with the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber and the Menomonie Chamber and Visitor Center.
• Friday, Dec 20, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Dec 9
• Eau What A Night - 110th Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Jan 30
• 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Wednesday, March 5

EC City Council adopts 2025 operating budget
   The Eau Claire City Council last Tuesday adopted its 2025 operating budget, which officials said was challenging in light of revenue constraints.
   The total budget is over $190 million, up 6.5 percent from 2024. Council action also included adoption of the 2025 fee schedule, employee pay plans, etc. The Council also passed two budget amendments proposed by Council members. One increases the city's contribution to Downtown Eau Claire, Inc., (DECI) by $30,000 from the budget's proposed $50,000, and another allocates $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.
   During the November 11 public hearing, representatives of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association raised concerns about increases in permit fees in an environment in which housing supply and affordability is a community issue.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Nov 11, Public Hearing Agenda Packet (9 pages)
    2025 Proposed Operating Budget (City of Eau Claire, opengov.com)
 • Tuesday, Nov 12, 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 approves 2025 budget with two minor amendments (Leader-Telegram $)

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

New Chamber Talking Po!nt Podcast
City Budgets and their impact on business
Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor and Vice President of Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers talk with Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch about how fiscal decisions at the city level impact infrastructure, workforce development, and economic growth.
Click here to listen (46:34)

You're invited: City of Eau Claire survey on transit needs
   The City of Eau Claire has begun a Multimodal and On-Demand Transit Feasibility Study to explore how a range of potential service alternatives, including both traditional bus and on-demand/microtransit service, could improve the coverage and quality of local public transportation. You can help by answering a few questions in a short, 3-minute survey about how you prefer to get around Eau Claire. Click here to take the survey
More information:
You can help shape the future of Eau Claire Transit by taking a survey (WQOW News 18)
Can Microtransit and Regular Buses Live in Harmony? (Bloomberg CityLab)

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, Nov 18, 6:30 p.m. Meeting information

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Nov 18, 7 p.m. (5:30 p.m. closed session) Meeting information

Eau Claire Plan Commission
2024 Work Program
• Monday, Nov 18, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet

More local government news...

As winter approaches, city and county street staff prepare for long hours (Leader-Telegram $)

Chippewa County Board unanimously approves 2025 budget (Leader-Telegram $)

Eau Claire trails only Madison as fastest-growing city
   Eau Claire has been ranked as Wisconsin's second-fastest growing city behind only Madison in rankings of recent population growth by online financial information and advice site SmartAsset.
   According to the site, Eau Claire grew to an estimated population of 70,469 in 2023, ranking it 81st nationwide with a one-year growth of 2.02% and a five year growth of 3.24%. Madison now at 280,307, grew 2.71% in the most recent year and 8.63% over five years. 
   Meanwhile, Eau Claire also has gained additional recognition by the site Islands.com for its reputation for independent music and other creative pursuits.
More information:
What Wisconsin city has grown in population the most? What city has lost the most people? (Journal-Sentinel +)
These Cities Saw the Largest Growth in Population – 2024 Study (Smart Asset)
This Up-And-Coming Artsy Town Is Hailed By Some As The 'Indie Capital Of The Midwest' (Islands.com)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin... is gaining a fresh reputation as one of Wisconsin's hot spots when it comes to independent music and a host of other creative pursuits. 

Assembly and Senate parties electing their leadership
Summerfield reelected Assembly Majority Caucus Chair, Smith reelected Senate Assistant Minority Leader
   With the 2024 General Election complete, with a significant number of new members in both houses of the Legislature, Majority Republicans and Minority Democrats have begun to confirm their leaders for the 2025-26 session.
   In the Assembly, Robin Vos (R-Rochester) was reelected Speaker and Tyler August (R-Walworth), Majority Leader, and area Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) as Majority Caucus Chair. Other nearby Republicans elected to leadership positions were Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi), Sergeant-at-arms, and Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah), Caucus Secretary. Assembly Democrats will hold their leadership elections this week.
   In the State Senate, Republicans reelected Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) as Majority Leader, but selected Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) as the new Senate President, a position formerly held by Chris Kapenga (R-Pewaukee), who didn't run after Felzkowski announced her candidacy. Pat Testin (R-Stevens Point) was elected President Pro Tempore. Senate Democrats reelected Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) as Minority Leader, and Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) as Assistant Minority Leader. 
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:
Wisconsin Legislature new members & departures (WisPolitics.com)
Assembly Speaker Vos, Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein to continue in leadership positions (Wisconsin Examiner)
Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump (AP)
Summerfield re-elected to caucus chair post, discusses next session (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin Republicans elect new state Senate president (WPR)
Felzkowski elected Senate president (WisPolitics.com)
Wisconsin legislators lay out priorities. Here's what to know from leaders of both parties. (Journal-Sentinel +)
New 2024 State Assembly Districts (Wisconsin Legislature)
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)

More election stories...
Election Results 2024: Key Wisconsin Races (WPR)
Full local election results (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Updated US House election results (AP)

Eggs & Issues: Director of Marquette Law School Poll says economy was number one issue for voters (Leader-Telegram $)
Voters’ feelings about economy decided election, says Marquette pollster (WPR)

Wisconsin split its vote between Trump and Baldwin. Which other states saw split tickets? (Journal-Sentinel +)
Bice: More of a purple fence than a blue wall. Winners and losers from the election (Journal-Sentinel +)
Gilbert: Wisconsin's Donald Trump-Tammy Baldwin split election explained (Journal-Sentinel +)

After an intense election season, the political focus shifts to state races in Wisconsin (Journal-Sentinel +)

Thune wins contested race for Senate GOP leader (Politico)

Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far (AP)
President-elect Trump names Susie Wiles as chief of staff, making her first woman in the post (AP)
Trump names Interior nominee Burgum to head new National Energy Council (Politico)

Trump Inc.: How a Second Administration Could Rewrite the Way America Does Business (Wall Street Journal +)
What the 2024 Election Could Mean for Transportation Policy (Governing)

More state government stories...

Wisconsin’s new Senate president still wants state to require transparency in hospital prices (WPR)

Wisconsin’s superintendent wants $4 billion in new spending on K-12 schools (Spectrum 1 News)

State Supreme Court Chief Justice says lawyer shortage ‘crisis’ and case backlog is impacting state courts (WPR)

ECASD one of a record number of school referendums
   A 4-year, $18 million annual operating referendum proposed by the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) passed overwhelmingly with 64% of the vote on November 5.
   According to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, it represents one of a record number of referenda in 2024 passed by voters to increase property taxes to fund their local schools, and nearly set a record for the most referenda to fund municipalities or counties. However, the approval rate for school ballot questions continued a downward trend. "These trends raise questions about both the adequacy of current state funding and the impact on property taxpayers," noted the report.
   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:
Wisconsin Sets More Referenda Records to Fund Schools (Wisconsin Policy Forum)
Wisconsin voters OK'd a record $4.4 billion in school referendums this year (Wisconsin State Journal +)
Referendum information page (ECASD)
ECASD, Cameron, Alma Center-Humbird-Merillian, other districts see November referendums pass (Leader-Telegram $)

Aspirus announces Chippewa Falls hospital
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative continuing with plans for a community hospital
   Aspirus Health, based in Wausau, announced last Thursday that it plans to build a new hospital in Chippewa Falls.
   Hospital and city officials said they have been working together on the planned project, with hopes of breaking ground next spring and opening about 18 months later. Details were not yet provided regarding exact location, size, and services to be provided.
   "Since the March 2024 closure of HSHS hospitals in the Chippewa Valley, there has been an unmet need for emergency and inpatient hospital services,” said Matt Heywood, Aspirus Health President and Chief Executive Officer.
   Aspirus is based in Wausau and operates 18 hospitals and over 130 total locations in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
   Meanwhile, the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative says it is moving forward with its plans to offer "a locally governed, independent community hospital with a broad range of services that we know the community needs to thrive. Local access to cost-effective local care, locally governed so all decisions are made here for here," according to a press communication.
   “The Chippewa Valley has been at the mercy of out-of-town hospital systems for decades, and our community has had little voice in what services and facilities exist here to care for our residents,” said Robert Krause, Board Chair of the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative. “The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative is moving forward to build an independent, locally governed nonprofit hospital to provide our community local, cost-effective access to the broad range of healthcare services it needs to thrive.”
More information:
Aspirus Health to construct new hospital in Chippewa Falls (Leader-Telegram $)
Aspirus Health seeks to build hospital in Chippewa Falls (WEAU 13 News)
Aspirus Health looking to build a new hospital in Chippewa Falls (WQOW News 18)
Aspirus Health Eyes Chippewa Falls for New Hospital (Volume One)

OakLeaf opens Eau Claire Urgent Care Clinic
   Oakleaf Clinics has opened an Urgent Care Clinic at 3802 Oakwood Mall Drive in Eau Claire, joining previously opened clinics in Chippewa Falls and Menomonie.
   “Our Chippewa Falls and Menomonie Urgent Cares have been busy since they opened in May and June, with many patients traveling from Eau Claire to be treated,” said Dr. Erik Dickson, medical director for Urgent Care at OakLeaf Clinics. “Both Eau Claire Emergency Rooms have reported significant double-digit increases in ER visits since the Spring. We hope that by adding our Eau Claire Urgent Care, we can help keep more patients out of the ERs and help lower wait times for ER patients.”
   The clinics are designed to to provide critical healthcare services for patients who need immediate care but do not have life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
   "Providing urgent care capacity throughout the Chippewa Valley has been a key concern for OakLeaf Clinics since Prevea closed three busy regional urgent care locations and HSHS closed its two emergency rooms at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals in March 2024," said OakLeaf in a news release.
More information:
OakLeaf Clinics adds Eau Claire Urgent Care on Southside (News Release)
Oakleaf Clinics offers new urgent care center in Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)

Local middle students invited to participate in Civics Bee
   The Eau Claire Chamber is one of the regional host sites for the 2025 Wisconsin Civics Bee. 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.
   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.
Local student wins Wisconsin, competes at national event   
   The local DeLong Middle School student who won the first Wisconsin Civics Bee earlier this year, Rya Mousavi of Eau Claire, represented the state at the National Civics Bee in Washington, DC, last week. Emily B. from Alaska won first place and the grand prize, a $100,000 scholarship. Second place and $25,000 was awarded to Michael O. from Iowa, and third place and $15,000 was awarded to Keith L. from New Mexico. ‌Meet the finalists
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)