Wisconsin Assembly to pass Walker's welfare overhaul bills
MADISON, Wis. -- The state Assembly plans to pass a welfare overhaul package championed by Gov. Scott Walker as part of his re-election year agenda that would give Wisconsin one of the toughest work requirements for food stamp recipients in the country.
Walker is touting the welfare bills, which are up for a vote Thursday, as a way to give people on food stamps the worker training and experience they need to get a job that will allow them to leave public assistance. Walker also cites Wisconsin's 3 percent unemployment rate, and need for more workers to fill openings, as rationale for the work requirement.
But Democrats and other critics say it's an election-year ploy designed to appease his conservative base and that the change will actually make it more difficult for people to get out of poverty. Opponents have also pointed to the projected $90 million annual cost of the bills as another reason against them.
The Assembly is rushing to pass the proposals before wrapping up its work. The Senate plans to pass the measures as well, Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Wednesday. The Legislature is expected to adjourn for the year in March.
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