Local groups demand use of state money to fill funding gaps, SNAP benefits

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- While the ticking clock for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP can be traced back to Capitol Hill, some groups here at home are calling on lawmakers in Madison to step in. 

Milwaukee's teachers union and several other groups came together to demand the use of state money to fill in funding gaps.

They want part of the state's $4.6 billion budget surplus be unlocked to fill the gap in Wisconsin. 

For the month of November, that would come at the price of around $114 million. That's just over 2% of the total surplus. 

"Food and healthcare are human rights, the people must have both," said Milwaukee Teacher's Education Association President Ingrid Walker-Henry. "Our elected leaders have a moral obligation to stand in the gap for Wisconsinites." 

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Senate Democrats are calling for a vote on a GOP led bill that would fund SNAP through the shutdown. 

But the chamber's Republican leader is refusing to bring it to the floor. 

The teachers union joined the other groups to donate $6,500 to the Hunger Task Force.