| Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development News Release | |
|---|---|
| Thursday, February 2, 2006 Governor Jim Doyle Secretary Roberta Gassman |
News Media Contact Rose Lynch 608/266-6753 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784 |
“The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday voted to pass the Budget Reconciliation Bill that cuts federal funding to Wisconsin’s child support program. I am extremely disappointed that 4 of our 8 House members voted for these cuts which will be extremely detrimental to our child support program and the 300,000 single-parent households we serve each year. The cut in federal funding will result in reduced child support payments taken directly out of the budgets of families who need the money to meet their children's needs.
“Wisconsin will lose $79.6 million in federal funding through 2010 due to these cuts. County child support agency operating budgets will be cut and counties will have no recourse but to operate with fewer staff and scale back collection efforts. Staff cutbacks will mean less child support will be collected – our families will see up to $266 million less in child support dollars over the next 10 years. In addition, the federal Budget Reconciliation Bill imposes new fees on some Wisconsin families who use the state’s child support services. The new fees will generate $2.7 million per year, of which, $1.8 million is collected for the benefit of the federal government.
“Wisconsin will be faced with child support collection challenges given the decreases in federal funding. However, DWD will work to continue collection efforts so that Wisconsin children and families receive the financial support they need and deserve.
Content Contact: Rose Lynch