In a recent development for Wisconsin’s food assistance programs, Governor Tony Evers has reached an agreement with the Legislature concerning $72 million in funding for the state’s FoodShare initiative. This agreement comes with specific conditions surrounding the purchase of candy and soft drinks, highlighting the balance between regulatory measures and the needs of vulnerable populations.
Funding Agreement and Legislative Reactions
(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers told reporters on Wednesday that his deal with the Legislature to agree to $72 million in funding for the state’s FoodShare if the food stamp program did not allow the purchase of candy or soft drinks was all about compromise.
Evers and Democratic legislators did not want the purchase restriction in place, arguing that many in food deserts had to rely on the occasional purchase of candy or soft drinks to get by.
“I’d rather have someone go to bed with food in their stomach than go to bed hungry,” Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said.
Evers had argued that the $72 million in funding was needed to prevent Wisconsin from going over a 6% error rate on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which would incur more than $200 million in federal penalties.
Wisconsin had a 4.47% payment error rate as of late 2024–2025.
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“Making sure folks have food to eat is one of the most basic things we do as a society—we should be doing everything we can to make sure Wisconsinites and Americans can access basic necessities like food,” Evers said in a statement. “It’s pretty simple.”
Lawmakers, however, questioned why Wisconsin’s payment error rate would suddenly rise.
“The governor wants the Legislature to bail him out,” Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, recently told Badger Institute. “I don’t think DHS is going to get anywhere close to that six percent error rate, and he’s scared (it’s going to be higher than 6 percent). We have asked him to show us the data and he hasn’t. But that’s the way he has always operated.”
The Assembly passed the latest version of the bill, 71-22, while the Senate passed the bill 25-8.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Evers reached a $72 million funding agreement for FoodShare.
- Restrictions on purchasing candy and soft drinks are part of the deal.
- Concerns arise around the potential for Wisconsin’s payment error rate to exceeds 6%.
- Legislators question the governor’s predictions regarding the error rate.
- The Assembly and Senate both passed the bill with significant majorities.
FAQ
What is FoodShare?
FoodShare is Wisconsin’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), providing food assistance to eligible residents.
Why is there a restriction on candy and soft drinks?
The restriction aims to encourage healthier food choices among recipients of the program.
What happens if the error rate exceeds 6%?
Wisconsin could face over $200 million in federal penalties if the payment error rate rises above this threshold.
What are lawmakers’ concerns about the funding agreement?
Some lawmakers question the necessity and accuracy of the data underpinning the governor’s claim regarding the error rate.
How did the legislative vote go?
The bill was passed by the Assembly with a vote of 71-22 and by the Senate with a vote of 25-8.
In summary, the funding agreement represents a significant step in addressing food assistance, though it raises important questions about the underlying data and the implications for residents relying on these essential resources.
