It looks like a bipartisan bill meant to reduce homelessness in Michigan has stalled.
As The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher reports, the governor’s Mental Health and Wellness Commission called for the legislation.
The bill would create a state council on homelessness. It would be made up of representatives from various state agencies and the public. The group would come up with a ten-year plan to end homelessness and give yearly reports to the governor and the Legislature.
Republican state Representative Tom McMillin chairs the House Government Oversight Committee. He says he’s not ready to hold a vote on the bill.
“I’m just trying to convince myself that there’s no other option before I’d want to do this,“ he says. “And I just haven’t been convinced yet.”
McMillin worries creating a new interagency council would be an unnecessary expansion of government. Governor Rick Snyder could create the council himself with an executive order.