WQOW: Rep. Van Orden hosts small business roundtable in Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden visited Roadside Diner in Eau Claire on Tuesday to talk with local business owners.

This visit comes as the first wave of tax refunds are being sent out, and Rep. Van Orden wanted to hear directly from the people who benefitted from the expansive One Big Beautiful Bill that was signed into law last year. For the area business owners, there was some high praise for raising the reporting threshold for miscellaneous income, no tax on overtime or tips, and loosening federal regulations.

"Small businesses don't have the money to hire someone to do all the regulations that the government requires, so us getting rid of those types of regulations are really fantastic for the businesses," Rep. Van Orden said. "We heard that here today so the two biggest things capital expenses and getting rid of some administrative issues."

Some of the attendees did raise concerns whether it be shouldering tariff costs and rising health insurance rates. Van Orden said GOP leadership plans to tackle health insurance costs next and that legislation is being worked on that could mandate price transparency amongst other initiatives.