Republican lawmakers decline to put an additional $15 million toward unemployment system

Patrick Marley
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - Republicans on the Legislature's budget committee declined Wednesday to put an additional $15 million toward running Wisconsin's unemployment benefits program.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers can find federal funds for that work, said Republican Rep. Mark Born of Beaver Dam, the co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee. 

"There's a lot of federal money available for these types of (unemployment insurance) projects," Born told reporters ahead of Wednesday's 12-4, party-line vote.

Also Wednesday, the Republicans voted to reinstate a drug testing policy for some recipients of unemployment benefits.

In addition, they approved commissioning a study that would link how long Wisconsinites can receive benefits to the state's unemployment rate. Under that system, the unemployed would qualify for benefits for a longer period when jobs are harder to find. 

Wednesday's votes came as the committee works on finalizing the budget this month. Once the committee is done with the budget, it will go to the Senate and Assembly, and then to Evers for final approval. Evers can rewrite parts of the budget using line-item vetoes. 

Evers seeks funds for unemployment system

The coronavirus pandemic caused a historic wave of layoffs and an unprecedented number of unemployment claims. Thousands of people had to wait weeks or months to receive their benefits.

The Evers administration blamed the delays in part on a 1970s-era computer system that administers unemployment benefits. Evers sought $79.5 million for computer upgrades, but Republicans declined that request in May. 

Separately, Evers wanted $15 million in state taxpayer money to help cover the cost of running the unemployment system, saying federal funding for that purpose isn't keeping pace with the state's needs.

Republicans on the committee declined to go along with that idea. Born noted Evers has access to billions of dollars in federal aid related to the pandemic.

Evers also sought $28 million to expand worker training programs. Republicans rejected that plan Wednesday.

Republicans nix plan to replace lead pipes

On a party-line vote, the committee approved about $400,000 over two years to buy and maintain body cameras for state Department of Natural Resources wardens. The move came just weeks after the committee declined to equip the Capitol Police with body cameras.

Also on party lines, the committee rejected a proposal from Evers to make $40 million in forgivable loans available to Wisconsin residents to replace lead water pipes. Lead in water can cause physical ailments and learning disabilities, especially in children. 

Republicans rejected a proposal from Evers to give $20 million over two years to food pantries and other providers so they could purchase food produced in Wisconsin. 

Democrats tried to force a vote on legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.

Republican Sen. Howard Marklein of Spring Green, a co-chairman of the committee, wouldn't allow that vote because the committee in May stripped from Evers' budget a proposal that would have legalized recreational marijuana.

Democrats said it was unfair to bar a vote on medical marijuana.

"Stop running from this debate," Democratic Rep. Evan Goyke of Milwaukee told Republicans on the committee.

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.