In September, 2008, the Citizen Alliance for Strong Communities (CASC) in Greater Eau Claire was established.
CASC defines itself as a regional network of organizations and individuals united to strengthen public services and infrastructures in all greater Eau Claire communities so that citizens and businesses can thrive. Participants include local officials, business persons, labor leaders, as well as representatives from civic groups and various other community organizations. The Alliance believes that state government plays a key role in sustaining effective public structures. These include both physical infrastructure as well as social systems that address health, public safety, education, economic development, legal issues and support for people in need.
CASC Goals:
1) Fortify community awareness around the importance of the public sector and
how the state’s current revenue system contributes to local budget problems.
2) Engage citizens from diverse backgrounds to participate in the Citizen Alliance
so the network has the capacity to increase local advocacy to affect change in the
state revenue system.
3) Develop a state fiscal policy agenda that will expand the revenue base and
ensure fairness to all taxpayers by reducing local reliance on property taxes.
Citizen Alliance for Strong Communities --
Greater Eau Claire Reaches Out to Community
The Citizen Alliance for Strong Communities (CASC) held an important community meeting on Tuesday, August 4 to let people in the area know about the serious budget cuts coming this year due to substantial cuts in state aid. Speaking as a group -- they outlined how state cuts in local aid will impact everything from class size to snow plowing. CASC was started in 2008 as a collaboration among local government entities (including the cities of Eau Claire and Altoona, the Altoona and Eau Claire school districts, Eau Claire County and Chippewa Valley Technical College), labor unions, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce and the Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin. There was a packed house as over 70 people jammed a room at the technical college. After the CASC speakers outlined the coming cuts, people met in small groups to discuss their reactions, their concerns and how to get this information out to the broader community.
Click here to see a PowerPoint presentation on State Budget Ripple Effects - Difficult times for Greater Eau Claire.
To download the PDF version of the slide show click here.
Chippewa Valley leaders sound budget warning
Chippewa Valley leaders are sounding an alarm about the deepening impact of state budget cuts on local services and trying to begin a dialogue about preserving the community's quality of life.
Read more about the budget alert.
In
the few months since its start-up, CASC has sponsored
a legislative candidate forum, a community workshop
on state revenue options and training sessions
on talking about government with Patrick Bresette
from DEMOS Public Works Project. City Manager
Mike Huggins introduces each event with a power
point about the groups goals.
Click here to see the CASC powerpoint presentation.
The group met icascn mid-March to incorporate the DEMOS concepts on public structures and framing into prepared testimonies for state budget hearings held in Eau Claire on March 27.
While CASC members are working to increase support for public structures, they are also aware that taxpayers need to know that these public structures are as efficient and effective as possible given the demand for increased funding.
CASC Participating Groups:
Eau Claire City Council
Eau Claire County Board
Eau Claire School District Board of Education
Eau Claire Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Eau Claire Association of Educators
Altoona City Council
Altoona School Board
Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Co-chairs:
Carol Craig; Eau Claire School Board President
Mike Huggins; Eau Claire City Manager