Senate’s refusal to release money leaves homeless in the cold

It seemed like a no-brainer. In fact, support for providing more money to fight homelessness in Wisconsin was bipartisan. The legislation sailed through the committee process, passing unanimously. It was approved by the Assembly. But despite such overwhelming support, and despite the fact the additional $3 million in funding to help homeless shelters was set aside in the state budget, no checks have been written. Because the Wisconsin state Senate failed to even vote on the funding before the session expired. The Senate is not scheduled to meet again until after the start of the new year, well after winter officially arrives. As the weather turns colder, members of the Senate are busy hosting fundraisers while the homeless continue to shiver. There is no reason to block this funding. Governor Tony Evers is calling on the legislature’s budget committee to release the funding, which it is authorized to do. This money would create more beds at homeless shelters and help provide skills for people to escape homelessness. Politics should not get in the way of that. Instead, by their inaction, our lawmakers are literally leaving the homeless out in the cold.