(The Center Square) — Don’t look for Wisconsin lawmakers to do something about the possible end of food stamp benefits in the state.
Food stamp, and other benefits, are set to end nationwide Saturday because of the
federal government shutdown.
Over the weekend, both Wisconsin’s governor and the state Senate president said Congress needs to fix the problem, not the state,
“My heart goes out to people, but this is a federal issue, and I don’t see the state having the resources to do that,” Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, said Sunday on UpFront.
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services said it will cost $114 million each month for the state to cover its food stamp costs.
But Felzkowski is not the only one saying Congress needs to step-up. Gov. Evers said the same thing on UpFront.
“This is something that can be fixed in Washington, D.C., and should be fixed there,” the governor said. “I’m not going to give them advice,” Evers added.
Felzkowski, though, was quick to blame Democrats in D.C.
“I just wish that the Democrats would sign this continuing resolution and vote for it, and let’s move on. They shouldn’t be playing games like this. You don’t hold people hostage over these kinds of issues,” she added.
Nearly 700,000 people in Wisconsin are enrolled in food stamps. Unless
Congress votes to reopen the government by the end of the week, those
people will not see benefits Saturday.
