— The Wisconsin Grocers Association has confirmed grocers across the state are accepting FoodShare after state agencies called on retailers to keep taking the benefits amid legal turmoil over the program.
The departments of Health Services and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection yesterday issued a release warning businesses in the FoodShare program that recipients can’t be refused service for paying with their QUEST food benefits cards.
QUEST cards function like a debit card, and can be used to buy food at businesses that have agreed to be part of FoodShare, Wisconsin’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
WGA yesterday said FoodShare benefits remain usable at authorized retailers in the state, and are being accepted by grocers despite the “unprecedented chaos” with the program. The group says this situation is leading to concern and “misinformation” that it’s seeking to clarify.
“Our members are on the front lines every day,” WGA President and CEO Mike Semmann said in a statement on the FoodShare issue. “They are providing a service to their communities. They are helping families, calming fears, and making sure no one goes without food. That’s the reality.”
DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski says the agency wants to “make sure everyone is clear on expectations.” A spokesperson yesterday said the agency hasn’t received any complaints and isn’t aware of any instances of Wisconsinites being unable to use their FoodShare benefits at stores.
Evers last month signed an executive order prohibiting price gouging due to the loss of FoodShare funding, declaring a state of emergency amid the economic disruption caused by the federal government shutdown.
Semmann argues the order wasn’t needed.
“Grocers did not need an executive order to do the right thing,” he said. “They’ve been doing it all along. From helping seniors navigate benefits to donating to food banks, Wisconsin grocers are stepping up, not stepping back despite the continued court action and funding questions.”
The WGA says grocers in the state have done everything they can to reduce the impact of the government shutdown.
Yesterday’s agency guidance comes after Dem Gov. Tony Evers rejected the Trump administration’s recent memo urging states to “immediately undo any steps taken” to issue SNAP benefits for November. That memo warned that failing to comply could result in USDA cancelling the federal share of state administrative costs and holding states liable for “any overissuances” resulting from disobeying the guidance.
In his response over the weekend, Evers said the state legally added benefits to its FoodShare cards for nearly 700,000 state residents including 270,000 kids under an active court order.
Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from forcing states to reverse a portion of the FoodShare payments.
Evers yesterday joined a coalition of states seeking to prevent the Trump administration from requiring states to claw back food stamp benefits sent out last week. At a stop in La Crosse to tour a local food pantry, Evers blasted President Donald Trump, charging him with trying to take food away from people who need it.
“The fact that they’re trying to claw that back, that’s embarrassing. That’s embarrassing for any president of the United States, whether it’s Donald Trump or somebody else,” Evers said.
The development is the latest in an ongoing legal battle with states over the aid. The Trump administration has sought to withhold emergency funding for SNAP benefits during the government shutdown despite previously saying the funds could be used. Senators in Washington are currently discussing a plan to reopen the government, which could potentially provide financial relief in the coming days.
Several states released November food stamp benefits last week after the USDA said it would comply with a federal court order requiring it to fully fund the aid. Wisconsin released $104.4 million for the payments.
However, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, and a justice late Friday granted a stay of the lower court’s ruling. USDA late Saturday then informed states that they should only load payments reflecting a 35% reduction in the maximum allotment for November. It also directed any states that sent full SNAP payments to immediately undo those steps, saying the action wasn’t authorized.
The multi-state petition that Wisconsin joined challenges the latest directives and cites a “continual state of whiplash” due to conflicting guidance from the Trump administration.
— GOP lawmakers are seeking to create a requirement to display gas taxes at the pump, which authors say will improve transparency around fuel costs.
Sen. Andre Jacque of New Franken and Rep. Scott Allen of Waukesha are seeking co-sponsors for their legislation. In a memo sent to other lawmakers, they note the state gas tax is a key source of funding for roads and other infrastructure.
“Despite this, these taxes are not explicitly itemized on gas pumps, making it easy for consumers to overlook the role they play in funding our public works,” they wrote.
Under the legislation, a state or municipal inspector would be required to place a sticker on each gas pump detailing current state and federal gas tax rates. Authors say this wouldn’t add any burden to gas station owners or operators, as the requirement would fall upon the inspectors during their typical rounds.
“This simple, yet powerful, action will inform consumers about the tax they are paying on every gallon,” they wrote. “It’s about empowering the public with information and ensuring they understand the true cost of their fuel.”
DATCP would be required to create a sticker for displaying gas tax rates and distribute it to all inspectors and sealers who inspect pumps in the state, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau. The agency would also have to update and redistribute stickers when those rates change.
The co-sponsorship deadline is Thursday at noon.
See the bill text.
— Premature mortality in Wisconsin has risen over the decade ending in 2022, with Black residents seeing a much greater increase, a recent study found.
The research, published recently in the JAMA Health Forum, found Wisconsin had 274 “premature” deaths per 100,000 adults aged 18-64 in 2022. That’s up from 207 per 100,000 in 2012, rising by about 32% over the decade.
Meanwhile, premature mortality at the national level rose to 309 premature deaths per 100,000 adults from 243 per 100,000 over the study period, for an increase of about 27%.
Across all states, researchers found racial disparities in premature mortality “widened substantially,” with Black Americans seeing higher and worsening mortality rates compared to white Americans.
In Wisconsin, Black residents saw a much greater increase in premature mortality over the study period. While white residents saw an increase from just over 200 to around 250 premature deaths per 100,000 adults, Black residents rose from the high 300s to at least 650 per 100,000 adults, according to a chart published by the researchers.
“These results raise concerns about structural inequities within the Medicare entitlement and financing system,” authors said of the national trend. “Despite contributing to Medicare throughout their working lives, Black individuals in the US are less likely to live long enough to reach the qualifying age for coverage.”
See the study.
— UW Health has begun construction on a new building as part of an expansion of its existing Digestive Health Center in Madison.
The health system yesterday announced the start of building the University Row Medical Center, which will house clinics currently located in a nearby older facility. Construction is slated to wrap up by the end of 2027, with patient appointments starting in 2028.
Katrina Lambrecht, chief administrative officer for UW Health, says the new center will “help us maintain continuity of care while we plan for the future of specialty services in a new central hub.”
See the release.
Top headlines from the Health Care Report…
— The state Department of Corrections says it violated HIPAA by releasing protected health information earlier this year.
For more of the most relevant health care news, reports on groundbreaking research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics and WisBusiness.com.
Sign up here.
TOP STORIES
Travelers flying through Wisconsin face delays, cancellations from government shutdown
Wisconsin hospital debt rises, report says. ACA fight could worsen it.
Fiserv sued for allegedly misleading investors–months before recent earnings miss, stock drop
TOPICS
AGRIBUSINESS
– Wisconsin soybean bill backs PFAS-free firefighting foam
– China has resumed U.S. soybean imports. It might not be enough for Wisconsin farmers
HEALTH CARE
– New Wisconsin procedure offers treatment for movement disorder patients
LABOR
– Amid Wisconsin nursing shortage, UW-Oshkosh professor thinks adding more men could help
MANUFACTURING
– Miller High Life brand helps Molson Coors address sales declines
– Rockwell Automation ending joint venture once expected to produce $400M in revenue
REAL ESTATE
– Microsoft buys another 135 acres for data center development
– Microsoft expands Mount Pleasant land holdings with $38 million purchase
– Metro Milwaukee apartment market rent growth accelerated in October
RETAIL
– Kohl’s focuses holiday offerings on price, value conscious shoppers and impulse purchases
TRANSPORTATION
– Dozens of more MKE flights canceled despite shutdown news
UTILITIES
– Here’s who would pay for new plants as data centers add to electricity demand
PRESS RELEASES
See these and other press releases
ManpowerGroup: Declares $0.72 dividend
Wisconsin Grocers Association: Ensure continued access for FoodShare families
Lowlands Group: Winter Experiences return for the 2025–2026 season
