MADISON, Wis. — Recently, Wisconsin lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at restricting food assistance recipients from using their benefits to purchase candy and soda. This legislation is now set to be signed into law by Governor Tony Evers.
The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday during its final session of the year. The new regulations will specifically address products such as candy bars, gummy worms, energy drinks, and sodas that fall under Wisconsin’s FoodShare program, which is the state’s equivalent of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The bill received support following a compromise between Republicans and Evers, adding $72 million in funding to mitigate federal cuts resulting from President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’
“When I first introduced this legislation, I obviously didn’t think it was going to go very far,” remarked Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie), the bill’s author. “Thanks to the current federal circumstances and the need for compliance with federal regulations, I am confident the governor will sign this.”
According to the Governor’s office, the allocated $72 million will be used for the following:
- $32.3 million to address the increase in the state’s share of administrative costs caused by the ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’
- $16.1 million for additional Department of Health Services (DHS) and county staff positions to help maintain a FoodShare error rate below six percent and prevent federal penalties.
- $20.7 million to promote increased participation in the FoodShare Employment and Training program, which is impacted by expanded work requirements.
Governor Evers emphasized the urgency of passing this bill, stating, “It was important that we get this bill done to help ensure Wisconsinites don’t face hundreds of millions of dollars in penalty fees to the Trump Administration each year.”
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin’s new bill restricts food assistance benefits for candy and soda.
- The measure has passed both legislative houses and awaits the governor’s signature.
- It introduces $72 million in funding to offset federal penalties.
- The funding will improve administrative costs and staffing in the FoodShare program.
- Governor Evers stresses the importance of this legislation to avoid significant penalty fees.
FAQ
What does the bill aim to achieve?
The bill seeks to prevent food assistance recipients from using their benefits to purchase items like candy and soda.
How much funding is included in the bill?
The bill includes $72 million to support various costs associated with compliance and program administration.
What are the targeted items affected by this legislation?
The legislation specifically targets candy bars, gummy worms, energy drinks, and soda.
What impact will this bill have on FoodShare recipients?
This bill will limit the types of items that can be purchased with FoodShare benefits, focusing on healthier options.
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