Democrats renew call for free school meals

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Democratic lawmakers said Monday they weren't done fighting to have the state provide a free breakfast and lunch to all students.

Gov. Tony Evers proposed having the state pay for all students to receive two free meals at school, regardless of their income, in the budget he submitted to lawmakers in February.

Republicans, who control the legislature, and by extension, the Joint Finance Committee, stripped the provision out of the budget earlier this spring.

During a press conference at the Capitol on Monday, June 12, Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) said she was hopeful the public could pressure GOP lawmakers into putting the free meals back into the budget.

"Making sure that our kids have everything that they need, regardless of their income, regardless of where it is they slept last night, so they can learn, and they can thrive and their dreams matter," Agard said. "That's why are here, and that's why we are not gonna give up."

In April, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told CBS 58 he felt each individual district should be able to decide whether to provide two meals to all students.

"I don't think we need to mandate free breakfast, free lunches, necessarily," he said. "Let the locals decide how to run their schools."

The Joint Finance Committee is expected to take up the budget for the entire state education system on Tuesday.