EAU CLAIRE — Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), released the statement below following the press release issued by Gov. Evers announcing the closure of Klein Hall for homeless veterans in Chippewa Falls:

“The recent announcement to close the Klein Hall for homeless veterans in Chippewa Falls on September 30th is extremely alarming, as that is right as the weather begins to get colder.  As Governor Evers stated in his press release today, this closure is a direct result of the Republican led Joint Finance Committee rejecting the needed $1.9 million to operate this facility. Their dereliction of duty has failed our veterans.

“My Democratic colleagues and I offered an amendment on the floor to restore the funding and Republicans voted it down a second time in the full Assembly. I am appalled they would underfund services for our servicemembers who have given so much to our country.  It is a shameful act to leave them in the cold in their greatest hour of need.”