Safety Net & Social Services

Gov. Scott Walker’s political career has been marked by efforts to dismantle safety net programs or, if not dismantle, run them into the ground through mismanagement. In 2009, while Walker was Milwaukee County executive, the state intervened and took over the county’s public assistance programs due to years of mismanagement.

As Governor, Scott Walker has proposed overhauling the state’s programs that provide care to the disabled and elderly, drawing outrage from disability advocates and groups such as AARP. Walker has also reduced eligibility for unemployment compensation, imposed additional requirements on recipients of public aid, and has proposed drug testing for these recipients in his most recent budget.

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Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs new limits on welfare programs into law Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday signed new limits on welfare programs into law, committing state and federal taxpayers to nearly $80 million in spending to draw more people into the labor force. “Our … welfare reform bills ensure help to those who truly need it, while providing the training and assistance they need to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/10/2018]
Wisconsin Legislature passes bulk of Walker welfare overhaul The bulk of Gov. Scott Walker’s welfare overhaul package, including increasing work requirements for food stamp recipients and imposing them on parents for the first time, won final legislative approval on Tuesday. [Associated Press, 02/21/2018]
Will Gov. Scott Walker Apply His Proposed Drug Testing for Public Housing to Himself and His Family? If he thinks people who get public housing need to be drug tested, Scott Walker and adults living with him in the mansion ought to be at the front of the line. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/02/2018]
Walker’s Welfare Overhaul Bills Cost More Than $90 Million Bills to toughen Wisconsin’s welfare requirements offered by Gov. Scott Walker are estimated to cost more than $90 million a year. The proposals include increasing work requirements for able-bodied adults on food stamps and expanding the requirement for the first time to parents. [Associated Press, 02/02/2018]
Drafting Records Show Welfare Bills Were ‘Ultrarush’ Job As Special Election Went South for Scott Walker Republicans The legislature is holding a public hearing on the hastily drafted bills that are the subject of a politically motivated special session called by Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/31/2018]
Fresh Off Stunning Electoral Defeat, Gov. Scott Walker to Call Special Session on Dog Whistle Attacks on Poor and People of Color Wisconsin Republicans led by Gov. Scott Walker announced a special session of the legislature devoted to renewed attacks on families struggling to get by. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/18/2018]
Walker proposes tough Wisconsin welfare overhaul package Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday called on the Wisconsin Legislature to pass a sweeping welfare overhaul package with some of the toughest requirements in the country, including forcing parents on food stamps with school-aged children to work or be in job training and mandating photo identification for food stamp recipients. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/12/2018]
Tens of thousands of needy but able-bodied adults in Wisconsin could have to work to qualify for state Health coverage under a plan from Gov. Scott Walker that has won support from President Donald Trump’s administration…Walker and his fellow GOP governors in nine other states have sought to impose work and training requirements on the Medicaid program known in Wisconsin as BadgerCare. But to do it they needed the backing of federal officials. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/12/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker Defense of Taking Donation From Marijuana Industry Advocates While Calling For More Drug Testing: $25,000 Check Too Small to Influence Him Scott Walker is trying to tell us he’s not a hypocrite for taking money from marijuana advocates at the same time he’s pushing drug testing people. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/21/2017]
Wisconsin Governor Accepts Pro-Weed Donations, Yet Pushes for Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients According to One Wisconsin Now, Walker’s policy represents exactly the kind of political hypocrisy that has kept cannabis illegal for so many decades. [Merry Jane, 07/20/2017]
Walker Defends Accepting Pro-Marijuana Organization’s Donation To GOP Governors Group Mike Browne, the group’s deputy director, questioned why Walker would accept a donation from the pro-pot group. [Wisconsin Public Radio, 07/20/2017]
Walker Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Accepting Marijuana Money One Wisconsin Now called out the donation as hypocritical, citing Walker’s continued push for more drug testing for public benefits recipients. [Door County Pulse, 07/20/2017]
Wisconsinites Cry Foul: Walker Took NCIA Donation While Lobbying for Medicaid Drug Tests One Wisconsin Now revealed the RGA accepted a donation from a cannabis trade group as Walker was lobbying to drug test the state’s Medicaid applicants. [Marijuana Industry News, 07/19/2017]
Republican governors accepted funds from pro-pot group as Scott Walker pushed drug testing The donation came on February 7, according to federal campaign finance reports from the RGA, and was publicized Tuesday by One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 07/18/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker on Drugs Scott Walker, as head of the Republican Governor’s Association, accepted a major contribution from a marijuana industry trade group. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/18/2017]
Governor Walker called hypocrite for drug testing of welfare recipients while taking donation from cannabis organization "Scott Walker wants to drug test poor people simply because they're poor," said Ross. "While he takes money from the drug trade association." [WDJT-TV, 07/18/2017]
Democrats say Gov. Scott Walker accepted donation from marijuana trade group One Wisconsin Now said at a press conference that Walker, as chair of the RGA, received $25,000 from the National Cannabis Industry Association in February. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/18/2017]
Democrats flag Walker for ‘hypocrisy’ on drug testing issue A charge of hypocrisy has been leveled by Wisconsin Democrats, over Governor Scott Walker‘s plans to drug test public assistance recipients. [Wisconsin Radio Network, 07/18/2017]
Gov. Walker accepts donation from National Cannabis Industry Association as head of Republican Governor’s Association On Tuesday, liberal group One Wisconsin Now, Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Jimmy Anderson (D-Monona) say Walker's plan makes him "a hypocrite." [WKOW-TV, 07/18/2017]
Republican governors accepted funds from pro-pot group as Scott Walker pushed drug testing The donation came on February 7, according to federal campaign finance reports from the Republican Governor’s Association, and was publicized Tuesday by One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 07/18/2017]
Dems Blast Walker As ‘Hypocrite’ For Accepting Marijuana Industry Donation On Tuesday, liberal group One Wisconsin Now called out the donation hypocritical, citing Walker’s continued push for more drug testing for public benefits recipients. [Wisconsin Public Radio, 07/18/2017]
Gov. Walker visits Sevastopol schools A project created by a team of six elementary school students was in the spotlight Tuesday morning when Gov. Scott Walker visited the Sevastopol School District to honor Sharing is Caring. The Sharing is Caring project, a clothes closet for low-income students, was created by Destination Imagination team members Nicole Olson, Danica Schultz, Oliver Matthews, […] [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 05/30/2017]
State budget panel green lights Scott Walker’s plan to drug test Medicaid, food stamp recipients The state Legislature’s budget-writing committee voted on Thursday to require some Wisconsin residents using food stamps and receiving public health care to be tested for drug use and to meet work requirements in exchange for benefits.The Joint Finance Committee, the state’s budget-writing panel, voted 12-4 to approve Walker’s plan that would make Wisconsin the first […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/26/2017]
Wisconsin plan to be first state to drug test Medicaid applicants wins committee approval Gov. Scott Walker wants to make Wisconsin the first state in the country to require able-bodied, childless adults applying for Medicaid health benefits to undergo drug screening, a move that could serve as a national model. Walker’s plan, which needs federal approval, comes as he prepares to run for a third term next year. Wisconsin’s […] [Chicago Tribune, 05/25/2017]
At Trump’s urging, states try to tilt Medicaid in conservative directions Wisconsin is preparing to recast its Medicaid program in ways that no state has ever done, requiring low-income adults to undergo drug screening to qualify for health coverage and setting time limits on assistance unless they work or train for a job. The approach places BadgerCare, as the Wisconsin version of Medicaid is known, at […] [Washington Post, 05/25/2017]
JFC Republicans to Help Gov. Scott Walker to Criminalize Poverty “Anyone supporting Gov. Scott Walker’s drug testing scheme ought to be at the front of the line to get drug tested themselves.” [One Wisconsin Now, 05/23/2017]
Scott Walker’s Insulting and Degrading Attack on the Poor Wisconsin’s Republican governor, Scott Walker, believes that citizens of his state who use public services should have to submit to drug testing. And anyone who refuses to be tested should be turned away. Walker doesn’t want to drug test every single citizen using every single public service. Can you imagine the revolt that would cause? [Progressive, 05/19/2017]
Cook County sheriff blasts Wisconsin over foster child An Illinois sheriff blasted Wisconsin officials Monday for not picking up a runaway Dane County foster child arrested in Chicago. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Sheriff Thomas Dart of Illinois’ Cook County wrote a letter to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker telling him Illinois welfare agencies had to step in after Wisconsin agencies didn’t. According […] [Rock River Times, 05/08/2017]
Critics: Scott Walker’s plan to drug test Medicaid applicants would backfire Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is proposing changes to the state’s Medicaid program, also known as BadgerCare, that would would require drug testing and treatment for some applicants. An official in the Walker administration said the measure aims to help individuals transition to work. During a Monday media call sponsored by Citizen Action of Wisconsin and […] [Capital Times, 04/17/2017]
Walker’s welfare reform makes Wisconsin model for the nation Wisconsin’s motto is “forward.” So it is no surprise that the Badger State is, once again, leading the way with some of the most bold welfare reforms in country. Governed by a philosophy that welfare ought to be temporary and government’s role should be to move people from dependency to work, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s […] [The Hill, 04/05/2017]
Want Medicaid coverage? A drug test should come first, Wisconsin governor says Now that House Republicans have squandered their shot at reordering Medicaid, governors who want conservative changes in the health program for low-income Americans must get special permission from the Trump administration. Near the front of the line is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who not only supports work requirements and premium payments but also […] [Washington Post, 04/02/2017]
Walker reverses course with budget plan for more drug treatment, early release for selected inmates Hundreds more prisoners could get treatment for drug abuse and an early release from prison if successful, under Gov. Scott Walker’s budget bill. The proposal applies only to those who have been singled out for the long-standing program by a judge at their sentencing. But right now there are not enough resources to handle all […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/27/2017]
Praise from industry for Gov. Walker’s proposed increase in nursing home reimbursement rates After several years without any substantive increases in the reimbursement rate, Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2017-19 state budget offers a glimmer of hope for a struggling industry. The budget calls for a reimbursement rate increase totaling $51.5 million over two years to support the direct care workforce and increased resident acuity in nursing homes, said […] [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 02/25/2017]
Homeless advocates praise Gov. Walker budget proposals Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget offers a series of initiatives to address homelessness in the state, with advocates applauding the moves and calling on the state to do more.Among other things, the budget would help homeless individuals prepare for jobs; test a program to use housing vouchers for the chronically homeless; expand a program to […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/09/2017]
Gov. Walker to provide funding to eliminate wait lists for child long term care services A bright budget outlook could mean millions of more dollars sent from the state to county governments to provide child welfare services and to fix their roads, Gov. Scott Walker told county officials on Tuesday. Walker, a day before he plans to unveil his full 2017-19 spending plan, told members of the Wisconsin Counties Association […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/08/2017]
Gov. Walker to propose new work requirements for food assistance in budget A proposed work requirement for parents on food stamps would affect nearly 100,000 recipients, new data show. Gov. Scott Walker will propose in his 2017-19 state budget, set to be released on Wednesday, that parents with children over the age of 6 work or seek work for at least 80 hours per month to continue […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/07/2017]
Scott Walker proposes increasing tax credit for working poor with 1 child Jenni Dye said there are other strategies for preventing premarital pregnancy that Walker has opposed, such as providing contraception and reproductive health services to low-income women. [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2017]
Scott Walker: Parents should work 80 hours per month to get food stamps Gov. Scott Walker wants parents who receive food stamps to work at least 80 hours per month to continue to receive full benefits.Walker made the announcement Monday in appearances around the state promoting changes dubbed “Wisconsin Works for Everyone” that he plans to make to the state’s welfare programs…David Lee, executive director of Feeding Wisconsin, […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/24/2017]
21K employed through FoodShare jobs program, 64K lost benefits About 21,000 Wisconsin residents using food stamps have gained employment through a state program designed to connect recipients with jobs, Gov. Scott Walker announced during his annual State of the State address Tuesday. That ‘s the number of FoodShare recipients who have gotten jobs through the state program that was created when lawmakers reinstated a […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/11/2017]
Participation in FoodShare falls more than 120,000 in 2 years More than 120,000 fewer Wisconsin residents are using food stamps than two years ago, and up to $197 million less will be spent on food stamps this year than what was spent in 2014. Gov. Scott Walker ‘s administration attributes much of the drop to an improving economy recovering from the Great Recession of 2008. […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/15/2016]
Walker approves rule implementing unemployment drug tests Gov. Scott Walker has approved a rule implementing drug screening requirements for unemployment benefits. The rule implements provisions in the state budget. Under the rule, those who fail an employer drug test or refuse to take one can be denied unemployment benefits. Those who fail would get taxpayer-funded treatment. Walker announced the new rule Wednesday, […] [WMTV-TV, 05/04/2016]
41,000 booted off Wisconsin FoodShare, 12,000 find jobs in first year of work requirement Taxpayers have spent $60 million on new work requirements that have kicked three times as many Wisconsinites off of food benefits than those who found jobs. One year after the state began forcing people to work or actively look for jobs in order to remain on the FoodShare assistance program, a report released Wednesday showed […] [WITI-TV, 04/20/2016]
Drug testing of welfare recipients begins In May of this year, Governor Scott Walker proposed a bill requiring that anyone applying for public assistance be required to complete a screening questionnaire for illegal drug use. Those deemed at risk would be drug tested before benefits could be awarded; a positive drug test would have resulted in denial of benefits and referral […] [TheClarion, 12/10/2015]
Financial impact still unclear for Scott Walker’s plan to drug test public aid recipients He wants a talking point for the Republican presidential primary and he believes targeting those in need is a political advantage for him. [Chippewa Herald, 02/10/2015]
Walker proposes drug testing for public benefit recipients “Some recipients of public benefits, including Medicaid, unemployment and food stamps, would be required to undergo drug testing, under budget proposal announced Thursday by Gov. Scott Walker. The governor rolled out his “workforce readiness plan” Thursday ahead of the scheduled unveiling of his 2015-17 state budget proposal on Feb. 3. The proposals announced Thursday are […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/23/2015]
Walker proposed reducing the length of W-2 benefits as part of his 2015 budget The 2015 budget proposal includes “reducing time spent on W-2 from 60 months to 48, to “encourage more rapid placement in jobs.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/23/2015]
Back in Action: Walker for president? Democrats and liberal groups like One Wisconsin Now say Walker will use his budget to prove his presidential timber, by pushing policies like drug testing for welfare recipients. [Capital Times, 01/07/2015]
Step 1: Cut Funding for AODA Programs. Step 2: Impose Mandatory Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits After signing into law drastic cuts to a drug addiction program, Gov. Walker is proposing mandatory drug testing for Wisconsinites as a condition of receiving unemployment benefits. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/01/2014]
Wisconsin one of three states to reject food-stamp increase “Once again, the people of Wisconsin pay the price for Gov. Walker’s presidential ambitions,” said One Wisconsin Now executive director Scot Ross. “We’re dead last in the Midwest in jobs under Gov. Walker, and apparently he doesn’t care what this is doing to Wisconsin families.” [Capital Times, 09/17/2014]
Walker talks up voter id, budget in visit to Lake Hallie Gov. Scott Walker praised a court ruling that requires voter identification at polls and offered details regarding new state budget proposals Tuesday during his visit to Lake Hallie. “The bottom line is we want it to be easy to vote and hard to cheat,” Walker said in remarks to the media after a grand opening […] [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 09/16/2014]
Walker claimed his “boldest” reform of 2013 budget was forcing food stamp recipients to attend work training Walker went on to say, however, that the “biggest, boldest reform” in the budget was new work requirements for people on food stamps. Able-bodied adults must spend at least 20 hours a week working or getting trained for a job, or they will be limited to three months of benefits over three years. Walker described […] [Associated Press, 07/01/2013]
Walker attempt to privatize food stamps and take over Medical Assistance from counties blocked; counties form consortiums to meet demand while dealing with 16.8% budget cut Here’s the challenge: The state cut funding to operate economic support services by 16.8 percent, while at the same time requiring counties to contribute the same amount to services that they did in 2009. In his budget repair bill, Gov. Scott Walker proposed taking all of those duties away from counties. Medical Assistance, the Supplemental […] [Janesville Gazette, 12/31/2011]
Walker proposed kicking 29,000 kids and 34,000 adults off of BadgerCare When Dennis Smith, Gov. Scott Walker’s secretary of the state Department of Health Services (DHS), conducted a public outreach tour to explain how he wanted to cut $467 million from Medicaid programs, he didn’t mention how many kids from low-income families would lose their health care coverage. Instead, Smith focused on “fairness,” and asked that […] [Shepherd Express, 11/30/2011]
Walker administration looking to cut $444 million from Medicaid “There will be thousands and thousands of people across Wisconsin to lose their health care coverage,” One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross says. Liberal group One Wisconsin now is blasting the cuts, which include $100 million from Family Care and $54 million from Badger Care Plus, which helps the uninsured pay for health care […] [MSNBC, 09/30/2011]
Federal government rejects Walker’s attempt to privatize food assistance programs “Attempts by the new Republican administration to largely privatize the state’s food assistance program have been all but stopped in their tracks. The controversial plan, first proposed by Gov. Scott Walker in March, would have replaced county-level sites where residents can simultaneously apply for FoodShare and medical assistance with a limited number of centers across […] [Capital Times, 08/17/2011]
Privatization attempt halted by federal gov’t Attempts by the new Republican administration to largely privatize the state’s food assistance program have been all but stopped in their tracks. The controversial plan, first proposed by Gov. Scott Walker in March, would have replaced county-level sites where residents can simultaneously apply for FoodShare and medical assistance with a limited number of centers across […] [Capital Times, 08/16/2011]
Walker’s Failure Hikes Unemployment Rate; Senate GOP to Cut $56 Million from Newly Unemployed MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Senate Republican are expected today to cut $56 million yearly from benefits for newly-unemployed Wisconsin workers just as figures show Wisconsin’s unemployment rate under Gov. Scott Walker has jumped higher than most states in the past two months. This vote comes after it was revealed Gov. Walker spent $500,000 for private […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/31/2011]
Walker cut $500 million from Medical Assistance Programs On June 26, 2011, Walker signed the budget, which contained his proposal to cut $500 million from Medical Assistance programs. The proposal does not exclude any specific groups from receiving the program cuts, which means seniors and people with disabilities, who account for 20% of total Medicaid enrollment and 67% of total Medicaid spending, will […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Eliminated Foodshare Benefits for Qualified Legal Immigrants Walker prohibited the Department of Health Services from providing FoodShare benefits to “qualified aliens,” except to the extent that federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits are required by federal government. This provision eliminated the state-option FoodShare program (SOFSP) that provides FoodShare benefits to certain legal immigrants who don’t meet citizenship standards for federally-funded benefits. […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Created Waiting Period for Unemployment Insurance Effective January 1, 2012, there will be a one-week waiting period before an unemployed worker can collect benefits. The inclusion of this change in the State Budget was made unilaterally by Republicans in the Legislature. Despite a veto request by all labor and management representatives on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council, Governor Walker signed this […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker proposed changes to W-2 in an effort to shrink the caseload at a time when the number of clients in need was ‘surging’ “With the number of poor clients in the state’s welfare-to-work program surging, a series of changes by Republican Gov. Scott Walker and GOP legislators would toughen the program guidelines and reverse revisions approved under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. The Walker changes also could help shrink the Wisconsin Works caseload, now approaching 15,000 families, with nearly […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/02/2011]
Walker signed measure that would allow state to kick 70,000 off health care programs On May 11, 2011, Walker signed into law reckless health care cutbacks that would allow the state to cut up to 70,000 from Wisconsin health care programs, and could result in deep reductions in benefits for children and seniors. (January 2011 Special Session Assembly Bill 11; Assembly Roll Call; Senate Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 10, 05/11/2011]
Walker Proposed Substantial Cuts to Bus Routes for Disabled Riders “A cut in state funding could lead to large areas of Milwaukee County becoming inaccessible to disabled transit riders, under a provision in County Executive Scott Walker’s 2010 budget…Slicing Transit Plus to the minimum level would eliminate service to nearly all of Franklin, Hales Corners and Oak Creek, as well as to parts of Bayside, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/19/2009]
Funds That Could Have Gone to Fraud Prevention Went Unused in Milwaukee County Under Walker “Milwaukee County under spent its budget for running the Wisconsin Shares child-care program by more than $4.3 million since 2004 — money that could have gone toward greater fraud prevention, state officials said. The county was authorized to spend $8 million or more annually to run the program, under contracts with the state that included […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/01/2009]
Walker’s Proposed Cuts for Social Service Programs Called ‘Very Insulting’ “Cuts proposed for social programs in 2010 stunned and angered Milwaukee County supervisors Wednesday, who said the county’s poorest and most vulnerable residents would bear the brunt. The county’s Health and Human Services budget request would eliminate $1 million for homeless shelters, $2.4 million for elderly and disabled programs, $721,000 from programs for delinquents and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/16/2009]
State Took Over County of Role of Administering Public Assistance Programs Due to Mismanagement “The state’s unprecedented move Tuesday to strip Milwaukee County of its role in administering food aid, child care and medical assistance programs was prompted by years of county mismanagement, state Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake said. The takeover requires installing state managers but retaining county case workers, a ‘hybrid model’ she said had never been […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/04/2009]
Walker Proposed Budget Which Cut Needle Exchange Program, Said AIDS Prevention Not a ‘Core Function of the County’ “Plans by Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker to cut $230,000 for AIDS prevention from the budget next yer were blasted Sunday at the 13th annual AIDS Walk Wisconsin….In Milwaukee County, county money is not directly used to buy needles, but the money does pay for staffing an AIDS prevention program that, in turn, provides the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/30/2002]