Contact: Tom Evenson
(608) 266-2839
Madison, Wisconsin – Governor Scott Walker released the following statement today about the Department of Health Services (DHS) public hearing regarding a new rule relating to drug screening for participants in the FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) Program:
Government assistance should serve as a trampoline, not a hammock. Our goal is to move people from government dependence to true independence, and today’s hearing moves Wisconsin closer towards ensuring government services are accountable to the people of our state by providing assistance to those who truly need it as they work to gain the skills necessary for a good-paying job while also helping those struggling with addiction to recover.
To qualify for FoodShare benefits, able-bodied adults are currently required to participate in FSET or another approved worker training or education program or work at least 80 hours per month. The public hearing held today allowed the people of Wisconsin to weigh in on 2015 Act 55, which adds an additional component by requiring all able-bodied adults enrolling in the FSET program to pass a drug test.
Following the hearing, all public comments will be summarized and responded to in a Legislative Report.
