The Wisconsin Assembly on Thursday approved Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed welfare limits and sought federal help to cover more of the nearly $90 million in costs from the proposals. Republicans approved the bills on party-line 62-35 votes, sending them to the Senate, where they are expected to pass quickly. > Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
work-requirements
Walker optimistic on juvenile justice, not ‘alcohol czar’
Gov. Scott Walker said he’s confident his legislative priorities of a child tax rebate, a juvenile justice system overhaul and new work requirements for welfare recipients will pass through the legislature this session, but he showed little enthusiasm to create a new “alcohol czar” position. > AP News / La Crosse Tribune
Lawmakers advance Walker’s $90 million package to put work requirements on welfare
Lawmakers Tuesday advanced bills from Gov. Scott Walker that could get more welfare recipients working at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $90 million a year. An Assembly committee approved all of the proposals on a party-line vote, while a Senate committee has advanced two of the bills. > Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Five things to know about the Medicaid work requirements likely to hit Wisconsin
The Trump administration released landmark guidance last week aimed at allowing states to impose work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries, a request Gov. Scott Walker has already submitted. The Hill provides this five-point explainer.
Trump administration will allow states — like Wisconsin — to impose work requirements for Medicaid
Federal officials have announced they will support state efforts to require able-bodied adults to work as a condition of eligibility for Medicaid. Wisconsin is one of 10 states that has already requested a waiver to do so. > NY Times
Assembly approves work requirements for some housing voucher recipients
The state Assembly has approved a bill that would require some able-bodied adults to work in order to receive housing vouchers in Wisconsin. While the bill doesn’t specify what the employment, training, and/or other “self-sufficiency requirements” would be, Rep. Terry Katsma (R-Oostbug) said the requirements would help create more trained workers. > Wisconsin Public Radio
Dems say GOP bill requiring drug screening for more work programs would be waste of money
More people would have to undergo drug screening to be eligible for state-run work programs under a Republican proposal the Assembly passed Wednesday. Democrats say that in addition to unfairly targeting low-income people, the idea is an ineffective way to treat addiction and therefore is a waste of spending $250,000. > AP / Janesville Gazette