For Further Information Contact:
Speaker Robin Vos (608) 266-3387
Rep.Vos@legis.wi.gov

Madison…Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) testified in favor of a bold legislative package on welfare reform. The Racine County representative authored the bills with Sen. Chris Kapenga (R – Delafield). Both lawmakers spoke at a public hearing before a joint committee of the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform and the Senate Committee on Public Benefits, Licensing and State-Federal Relations. The ten bills are part of the special session call from Governor Walker.

“This legislative package promotes accountability, encourages personal responsibility, prevents fraud and abuse, and gets people back to work,” said Speaker Vos. “Public assistance was never intended to be permanent; these bills open the doors of opportunity for people who can work.”

Wisconsin has been a national leader in welfare reform.  Under Governor Tommy Thompson, the Badger State became the model for the nation with its Wisconsin Works program. These new bills take welfare reform to the next level and keep the state on the forefront of the reform movement to get people off of government assistance and into the workforce.

“With the skilled worker shortage and our historically low unemployment, we need more people to be part of the workforce and fill these open positions,” said Speaker Vos. “I want to thank Governor Walker for his leadership on this important issue in our state.”

Both committees are expected to vote on the bills on Thursday. The full Assembly will take up the special session bills in the coming weeks.

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