In November 2025, I introduced the Interfaith Security Grants Bill (Senate Bill 789) to address the urgent need for state support of security measures needed by Wisconsin’s faith communities, including Wisconsin’s Jewish community. While Wisconsin provided security grants to religious organizations in years past, once that program ended, a funding gap has grown on pace with the rise of religiously motivated threats. As we know too well, antisemitic incidents in Wisconsin alone have spiked to unprecedented levels in recent years. And we need only look to the tragic loss of Jewish lives that took place this past Chanukah in Australia to recognize the mortal danger of governmental inaction in this critical respect.
This is why I conscientiously drafted a bill to align with the best practices recommended by Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s security expert and the shared concerns of other faith communities. I made sure SB 789 received bipartisan backing from the start to give it the best possible chance for success in Wisconsin’s current legislature. I prioritized reaching out to Republican legislators to secure their support and co-authorship, along with Democratic colleagues from both houses. Given the divisiveness of our times, it felt really good to work across the aisle on a matter as important as this.
And it was working! In January, SB 789 received a public hearing in the Senate, and it went remarkably well. The testimony given by Ari Friedman, the executive director of the Wisconsin Jewish Security Network, underscored the vital need for ongoing security funding in the Jewish Community. Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer attested to the value of security measures he had previously implemented, which thankfully prevented an antisemitic vandal from entering the synagogue last summer. Many other Wisconsin faith leaders shared their heartfelt support for SB 789, including compelling testimony provided by members of the Sikh, Christian and Muslim communities.
This Senate hearing clearly demonstrated the power and value of bringing faith communities together.
Next, the bill needed a hearing in the Assembly so it could proceed to a floor vote in both legislative houses before reaching the Governor’s desk. But this is where SB 789 hit a roadblock.
Despite committed efforts by my senate office, and those by Republican co-author Rep. Ron Tusler, we were unable to get the Republican committee chair to hold a public hearing on the bill. Nor did Speaker Vos opt to bring the bill to the Assembly floor directly. The failure of Republican leadership to prioritize the Interfaith Security Grants Bill directly resulted in this vitally needed legislation dying in committee.
But I remain undeterred, and hopeful. During this process, we were able to build a strong bipartisan coalition with interfaith support, which we can count on when I reintroduce this legislation next year. We will be able to hit the ground running to ensure the safety and freedom of religious communities like ours across Wisconsin and bring this bill across the finish line together.
Editor’s note: The Chronicle has contacted Speaker Robin Vos’ office and offered an opportunity for response.
The Chronicle publishes a variety of opinion articles, including this one, which are not necessarily representative of the views of this newspaper or its publisher.
* * *
About the writer
State Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, a Democrat, represents a district that includes much of the Milwaukee area’s north shore.
Loading ...