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Scott Walker Sues Feds So He Can Drug Test Food-Stamp Applicants

Gov. Scott Walker's health secretary sued federal officials Tuesday in an attempt to allow the state to screen people with drug tests if they seek food stamps.

By Patrick Marley

Gov. Scott Walker's health secretary sued federal officials Tuesday in an attempt to allow the state to screen people with drug tests if they seek food stamps.

The lawsuit came two days after the Republican governor signed a budget including the drug testing provision and one day after he announced he was running for president.

Federal officials had been expected to block the move, and the lawsuit is an attempt to pre-empt such an order and get a federal judge to allow the program to go forward.

Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel filed the suit on behalf of the state and Kitty Rhoades, Walker's health secretary. He brought it against U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other federal officials responsible for running the nutition program known as FoodShare in Wisconsin.

(c)2015 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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