MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Housing advocates and members of the public are getting a chance to weigh in on a group of Republican bills meant to combat homelessness and a proposal to expand drug testing for state work program participants. The Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform was considering the measures at a public hearing Tuesday. Democrats have criticized the Republican’s four homelessness proposals, calling them “cosmetic” and saying they don’t go far enough. Democrats argue funding additional housing or addressing low wages would be more impactful than creating an interagency homelessness council, as one of the bills would do. Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke said at the hearing that the bills are, at a minimum, steps “in the right direction” and should garner bipartisan support.
