June 4, 2026

Rising Prices Leave Wisconsin Retirees and Veterans Facing Housing Insecurity

“And when we have Van Orden representing this particular district and either hiding or just embracing what Trump does, that is something we should all be alarmed about, that we have a Congress that has decided to give up their power and allow what’s going on right now in this country.” – State Senator Jeff Smith

MADISON, Wis. — Last week, reporting from the Vernon Reporter detailed how veterans in Derrick Van Orden’s district are feeling the pain of the cost crisis. One retired veteran shared his fears of facing homelessness as he struggles to afford housing but cannot get in contact with the VA due to a record number of requests. Just last year, too, Van Orden failed to secure funding for Klein Hall, a housing facility that provides shelter for homeless veterans in his district. Van Orden continues to sit on the sidelines, offering no meaningful response to the veterans he was elected to serve.

Vernon Reporter: Rising prices leave Wisconsin retirees and veterans facing housing insecurity

By: Judith Ruiz-Branch | 5/28/26

Working families and retirees in Wisconsin say they are struggling to absorb rising costs for health care, groceries and gas.

Eau Claire community members recently discussed the personal impacts of the affordability crisis at a roundtable hosted by Opportunity Wisconsin. State Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick, joined the discussion.

John Sterling, a retired veteran, said gas prices in his area have increased by nearly $2 per gallon, while grocery costs also are substantially higher. Sterling said 47% of his fixed income goes toward housing, and every additional dollar he spends cuts deeply into his budget.

“I’m in an attrition situation right now,” Sterling said. “Eventually, this is going to catch up to me, and I’m going to be homeless. And the VA won’t do squat for me until I’m actually homeless.”

Sterling said the Veterans Rental Assistance Program had been helping him cover housing costs, but he has been unable to reach the program. According to its automated phone system, a record number of assistance requests has exhausted all available funds.

The state also closed Veterans Housing and Recovery Program facilities in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay. In response, the Legislature passed two bills this year to help create a new state matching grant program to assist homeless veterans.

Smith said he is deeply concerned about political gridlock preventing cost relief measures for Wisconsin residents. He said politics are affecting local affordability and access to essential services.

“It’s frustrating,” Smith said. “And when we have Van Orden representing this particular district and either hiding or just embracing what Trump does, that is something we should all be alarmed about, that we have a Congress that has decided to give up their power and allow what’s going on right now in this country.”

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Check out WisDems News: https://wisdems.org/news/ 

May 29, 2026

Sen. Smith Wraps Up His Three Part Series on Wisconsin's Voucher Programs

Hi folks, Senator Jeff Smith here – your Chippewa Valley Senator. I’m sad to say, due to State Senate policy, this will have to be my last Checking in for the Chippewa Valley video until after the election this fall. 

Now, the good news. We’ve just finished our three part series on the impacts of the private voucher school program on our local public schools. Our deep dive into the voucher school system and our interactive map are helpful for understanding how voucher schools are bleeding our public schools dry. 

Follow the links for each of the three-part series to learn more. Especially noteworthy is an interactive map highlighting the cost of the voucher school program in every corner of the state. It clearly shows how school referendums are trying to make up the difference for the loss of critical resources spent on the voucher programs. 

We have so much to do to help public schools keep up with the true cost of education. Everyone is feeling the pinch of this economy, schools are feeling it too. As we approach summer, my hope is for a renewed effort to fulfill our promise for increasing special education funding. 

What’s most important of all is fixing our failed funding formula. We’ve ignored fundamental flaws and continue to put Band-Aids on a broken system for too long. We need real change and long-term solutions for education, not a second unaccountable school system siphoning off funding from our public schools. 

I wish you a great summer, we will be back in November after the election to keep you informed about what’s happening in the Chippewa Valley. Until then, keep in touch and enjoy the summer! 

This is Senator Jeff Smith, signing off.

Click here to see the new 3-part interactive map series: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/dd565f8bd67241058f566d19c49fad25/page/Part-1%3A-Private-School-Funding  

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Senator Smith currently represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District currently includes portions of Dunn, Eau Claire, and Trempealeau counties. While he doesn't represent Pierce County specifically, Senator Smith endures to represent everyone in Wisconsin.

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For more from Senator Smith, go to his website at:
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/31/smith/.