“What’s the cost of the “job training” vs. the cost of their continuing to receive food stamps and do nothing?”
That is the most important fact that the “journalist” Jason Stein should have reported in the linked article. But, it would have required too much work apparently!
According to the WI Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office report linked in the article, for the year 2012 there were an average of 840,193 people enrolled at a cost of $1.1778 BILLION to the federal gubmint (FoodShare is a WI rename for fed food stamps and is not a state benefit). So, if half of the people drop out, that would save over $1 BILLION over the next two years in taxpayer money (in WI alone!) vs. an estimated job training cost of only $35.8 million. That is one hell of a deal!
Also, according to that report, this requirement for job search or training is ALREADY in the fed food stamp law as an option for states to enforce. So this is not a “new” proposal. IMO, all states should exercise this option.
As I understand it from the article, the job-training requirement would apply only to able-bodied, working-age adults with no children, and half THAT group would drop out, not half the total recipient population. That changes the cost/benefit calculation.
It might still come out ahead in terms of cost, but we don't know.
It's fascinating, though, that so many decide that even "job training," not getting a job or anything!, is too difficult.