Wisconsin Assembly Passes Junk Food Limits and Drug Testing for Food Stamp Recipients

by Cassy Fiano | May 15, 2015 9:12 am

Any attempt to limit welfare spending sends liberals into an apoplectic rage. Unfortunately for them, in at least one state, welfare recipients are now going to be limited on what they can buy, and will also have to undergo drug testing in order to receive benefits.

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Public aid recipients in Wisconsin would be limited in how much junk food they could buy and forced to take mandatory drug screenings under two bills passed by the state Assembly on Wednesday.

“With help from the government comes responsibility,” said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in a news conference prior to debate.

Republican supporters say that they want to ensure that beneficiaries of public programs are eating health food and staying drug-fee–two things that supporters say will make them more employable.

Under the junk food bill, food stamp recipients would be required to use at least two-thirds of their monthly benefits to buy nutritional foods such as beef, chicken, pork, potatoes, dairy products, fresh produce, and food available under the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program. It would also prohibit users from using the money to buy crab, lobster, shrimp, and other shellfish.

Because the federal government funds food stamp benefits, the limitations posed under the bill would require a federal waiver that no other state has ever proposed.

Democrats have argued that the measure is a gross overreach and grocery stores have also been wary of the proposal as they would have to install software to track spending by food stamp users–something that could cost up to $55 million.

The bill passed a 60-33 vote, with all Democrats voting against it and all Republicans–save for two–in favor of the measure.

There is no reason that welfare should be a free-for-all in which recipients can buy whatever they want on the taxpayer dime, or that they shouldn’t be required to pass a drug test. After all, most Americans who work have to pass a drug test in order to pay for those welfare benefits, and with the rest of our money, we have to be responsible and budget wisely with what we spend — why should welfare recipients not be required to do the same?

Source URL: https://rightwingnews.com/welfare/wisconsin-assembly-passes-junk-food-limits-and-drug-testing-for-food-stamp-recipients/

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