Copycat Drug Testing Approach Proposed For Wisconsin Aid Recipients

Governor Walker copycats drug testing proposal from other states for state aid recipients

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Madison, WI - A copycat approach of drug testing those collecting unemployment benefits, medicaid and Food Share (Quest Card/food stamps) aid recipients was added by Wisconsin  Governor Scott Walker (R) to the 2015-16 budget proposal. The budget proposal will be released on February 3. Walker's proposal is just a copycat approach used by other states who have wasted taxpayers funding to implement a drug testing program that yield few results.

Governor Walker wants for everyone applying or receiving unemployment insurance benefits and foods stamps to be tested for drugs. Walker's reasoning, because employers require for employees to be drug free.
He also wants to cut off a year in unemployment benefits and funding for programs offering public aid.
In Tennessee, state goverment spent millions of tax payer dollars for drug testing those enrolled in food stamps and getting state aid, but only resulted with 2.8% who were actually using drugs. Drug testing in Tennessee turned out to be a waste of taxpayer funding for drug testing.

In late August of 2014, the Legislative Physical Bureau reported that revenue collections fell by 2.0% ($281M) during the fiscal year that ended in June. Tax collections fell by 1.0% instead of the projected rise of 1.0% the Walker administration had anticipated. The 2013-2014 revenue shortfall is blamed on Walker's tax breaks for wealthy employers.
Wisconsin is facing a $1.7B projected structural deficit for the 2015-16 budget and had a $115M deficit for the 2014 budget.

Some states and the Wisconsin GOP controlled legislature attempted to enact drug testing for those seeking state aid, but the federal government halted the GOP drug testing move. Extended unemployment benefits and food stamps are funded by the federal government.