Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker is signaling that more reforms could be on the way for state public assistance programs.
Speaking at a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce event in Madison Thursday, Walker argued some people delay entering the workforce because of the government assistance they receive. He said those programs should “be a trampoline, not a hammock. For those who are physically and mentally capable of working, we have to find ways of transitioning them in to the workforce.”
The governor said improving Wisconsin’s economy requires getting people off assistance, and back to work. “If we’re going to grow the economy, we cannot afford to have people on the sidelines,” Walker said. “Public assistance being a barrier to work is one of those things that has to change.”
Walker has previously pushed reforms that include requiring those receiving FoodShare benefits to look for work, which resulted in more than 20,000 people losing those benefits during the first half this year.
While Walker did not outline any specific proposals, but suggested his plans could also include providing some form of child care assistance for adults who are trying to enter the workforce. “I think there’s a reasonable expectation the taxpayers of this state have that, if you’re able to work and you want to get assistance from the state, there’s an expectation that we get you into the workforce.”