HELP of Door County Opposes Welfare Reform Package

HELP of Door County joins with advocates for victims of domestic violence across Wisconsin to express dismay and frustration about the recent actions of our legislative representatives following votes to pass a package of nine bills aimed at restricting access to social safety net services. Steve Vickman, executive director of HELP of Door County, said, “This vote by Wisconsin legislators demonstrates that they have not properly prioritized the safety and independence of domestic violence survivors. These basic public benefit programs support the economic security that domestic violence survivors need in order to escape violence and achieve financial independence. HELP of Door County had previously called upon legislators to work together to find workable common sense solutions that lead people out of poverty. It is clear that this intention is not shared by our legislators. Additionally, we are dumbfounded by the rejection in the Assembly to once again vote down a widely supported bill to implement common sense universal background checks on gun sales. Firearm assaults on victims and family members of domestic violence are 12 times more likely to result in death than non-firearm assaults. In a Quinnipiac University poll released last Tuesday, 97 percent of those surveyed said they support background checks on all gun buyers.” Vickman stated that:  “If legislators are serious about assisting vulnerable populations, then they need to act accordingly and begin to put real common sense restrictions on gun access in our state.”