Future of bills to help homeless uncertain in Senate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate’s top Republican says he’s not sure if or when the chamber will vote on legislation to combat homelessness in Wisconsin.

The $3.7 million, eight-bill package would enact recommendations from a state panel that examined homelessness. The proposals focus on efforts to prevent homelessness, get the homeless into more stable housing and bolster grants for homeless shelters

The Assembly approved the bills in June. Senate Democrats pressed their Republican counterparts in that house to take up the bills Tuesday to no avail.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told reporters that the bills are spread across standing committees in his chamber and he believes the bills call for “a lot of spending.” He says his caucus members are “all over the place” on whether to support the measures.