Here & Now

Budget Committee Votes To Approve Drug Testing For Benefits

FREDERICA FREYBERG:
A HOT BUTTON ISSUE PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR ALSO GOT A VOTE IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE THIS WEEK. THE PANEL VOTED ON PARTY LINES TO APPROVE DRUG TESTING FOR RECIPIENTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, FOOD STAMPS, BADGERCARE AND THOSE IN THE W-2 PROGRAM. DEMOCRATS OPPOSE THE TESTING SAYING NO ONE CAN SAY HOW MUCH IT WILL COST AND IT’S LIKELY TO FACE LEGAL CHALLENGE.

JON ERPENBACH:
WE ARE GOING TO FACE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES WITH THIS. THAT’S GOING TO COST TAX POWERS MORE MONEY. AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO LOOK OR AT LEAST SOUND LIKE WE’RE GETTING TOUGH ON WELFARE FRAUD OUT THERE. THERE’S A BETTER WAY TO SPEND THIS MONEY. THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO GET SERVICES TO PEOPLE. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD DO THAT RATHER THAN JUST SAY, YEAH, WE DRUG TESTED PEOPLE AND YEAH, WE GOT TOUGH ON THEM. YEAH, COSTS US A LOT MORE MONEY AND THERE WERE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, BUT WE DRUG TESTED.

JOHN NYGREN:
YOU CAN MAKE THIS ABOUT BEING PUNITIVE. YOU’RE MAKING ALL YOUR DIVISIVE STATEMENTS. MANY OF THEM AREN’T TRUE, BUT I WILL COME DOWN ON THE SIDE OF HELPING PEOPLE BREAK THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION AND BECOME EMPLOYED. THERE ARE NO BETTER PROGRAMS WE HAVE IN OUR STATE THAN A FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY. NO OTHER PROGRAM IS BETTER THAN THAT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:
UNDER THE PROVISION, A DRUG TEST THAT’S POSITIVE WOULD MAKE THE PERSON ELIGIBLE FOR TREATMENT. THE BUDGET WOULD SET ASIDE $1 MILLION FOR THAT PURPOSE. ALSO THIS WEEK, BUDGET-TRIMMING CHANGES IN STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE. AMONG THEM ADDING DEDUCTIBLES TO STATE WORKER HEALTH PLANS. $250 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND $500 FOR FAMILIES. ADDITIONALLY ANNUAL OUT-OF-POCKET PAYMENTS WERE DOUBLED TO $1,000 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND $2,000 FOR FAMILIES. ALSO ADDED, A $15 CO-PAY TO STATE WORKERS’ PRIMARY CARE VISITS.