AB 641

Current law requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to

conduct a transitional jobs demonstration project to the extent that DCF obtains

federal funds for the cost of operating the project. The transitional jobs

demonstration project may provide up to 2,500 transitional jobs to low-income

adults who have been unemployed for at least four weeks, are ineligible to receive

unemployment insurance benefits, are ineligible for the Wisconsin Works program

(W-2), and have annual household incomes below 150 percent of the poverty level.

The biennial budget act eliminates this demonstration project on July 1, 2013.

Under this bill, instead of being eliminated, the transitional jobs demonstration

project is converted into a permanent program, effective July 1, 2012. The bill

appropriates $9,300,000 general purpose revenue for the program in fiscal year

2012-13, removes the limit on the number of transitional jobs that DCF may provide,

specifies that the jobs must be provided on a statewide basis, and specifies that DCF

must use the allocation of W-2 participants as a factor when determining how to

allocate the transitional jobs throughout the state.

The bill also increases full-time equivalent positions for auditors, audit

supervisors, and agents in the Department of Revenue related to the administration

of all state taxes and to county sales and use taxes.