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Homelessness package
Homelessness package
MADISON — Assembly Republicans on Thursday, Feb. 21 unveiled a package of legislation to combat homelessness -- and some Democratic lawmakers were critical.
Senator Lena Taylor
The lawmakers announced the legislation during news conferences in Madison and Milwaukee on Thursday. In Milwaukee, the news conference was held at Pathfinders.
"I wasn't notified. I found out from the media that there was a press conference here in my district," said Senator Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee. "When I come to your district, I'm certain that you'd want to know, and that's called professional courtesy and we normally give that to each other. I'm not getting that today."
King Rick, Original Black Panthers
Other Milwaukee leaders also expressed frustration that Democrats weren't made aware of the event.
"How dare you come out into our community and tell me about our legislatures. That is an insult to us," said King Rick, Original Black Panthers of Milwaukee.
"I hate that this whole thing has been made partisan. I mean, your speech makes it seem only Republicans have worked on this issue," said Senator Taylor.
The $3.7 million package contains eight bills. The measures would add $500,000 to a prevention program, create a new $300,000 program to direct the homeless into stable housing, add $500,000 to bolster grants for shelters and add $900,000 annually to a housing assistance program.
The bills would devote an additional $500,000 toward helping shelter families find work, create $300,000 in new grants to find permanent housing for homeless people, create a $500,000 loan program for renovating apartments into affordable housing, direct the state officials to create programs for homeless youth and add $250,000 to a skills enhancement program to help the poor get job training.
"These bills would allow Milwaukee and other communities around the state to provide additional services," said Raphael Acevedo, manager of Milwaukee Continuum of Care.
Senator Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee released the following statement regarding GOP proposals aimed at addressing homelessness:
Rep. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee released this statement:
Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek explained the proposals came from the Interagency Council on Homelessness.
"These are not proposals that we came up individually but these were plans and ideas that came from the council," said Rep. Rodriguez.