WASHINGTON — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) had previously said he wanted to fight the Obama administration over drug tests for food stamp recipients, but it turns out Walker would prefer to ask nicely.
A Walker spokeswoman said that instead of imposing drug tests on food stamp recipients, the governor’s forthcoming budget proposal will seek permission to do so.
–
Walker’s spokeswoman said the governor will push forward on drug testing in several other programs, including unemployment insurance, though none are as controversial as Walker’s original food stamps proposal. When Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) signed a similar measure into law last year, the USDA warned him the policy was out of line and could cost the state administrative funding. Deal didn’t go through with it.
In 2013, Republicans in Congress tried to give states the freedom to drug-test food stamp recipients, but Democrats warded off the attempt.
