I sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to release Wisconsin’s food stamp data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Vulnerable Wisconsinites are at risk of losing benefits because the Evers administration continues to block the federal government from conducting food stamp fraud checks. 

USDA audits in states that have submitted their data have already identified significant issues, including 186,000 deceased individuals receiving food stamps and 500,000 people receiving benefits more than once. 

In the letter, I stated, like many Wisconsin residents, I was disappointed by your recent public statements ruling out cooperation with the federal government to detect fraud in the food stamp program. We should all be able to agree that fraud and abuse in vital safety net programs is unacceptable, which is why I hope you will reconsider your position.

Your position on this matter is even more shocking given recent developments in our neighboring state of Minnesota. There, the governor’s mismanagement and lack of transparency in food security programs have led to multiple investigations of a taxpayer-funded fraud scheme totaling a staggering $1 billion that allegedly involved Somalian terrorists.

Failure to police abuse in this program jeopardizes its solvency and integrity, harming those the most who can afford it least. By withholding this information, you are effectively prioritizing the ability of scammers and illegal aliens to bilk this program over the well-being of the most vulnerable Wisconsinites that it exists to serve. This makes no sense. I strongly urge you to cooperate with the USDA audit.