Gov. Tony Evers is pressing the Legislature for $70 million to process FoodShare applications to stave off federal penalties that could cost state taxpayers as much as $225 million.

Republican leaders, frustrated in private discussions with the administration, say the Department of Health Services’ inattention to new federal work requirements for FoodShare eligibility in 2025 will almost certainly trigger the penalties, state Sen. Chris Kapenga told the Badger Institute this week.

Much of the funding that Evers wants would be used to expand the Department of Health Services by as many as 60 employees to vet an estimated 43,000 food program recipients who are subject to the new work requirements that went into effect in July, Kapenga, R-Delafield, said.

If those recipients don’t work or provide proof of trying to find work, they will be ineligible for benefits.

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