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
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 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
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.
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
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
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
