A report released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Budget Project, a liberal advocacy group, shows that in the past year Wisconsin missed out on $1.3 billion in federal money.
The state refused a $23 million grant for broadband infrastructure in schools and libraries and a $780 million grant for a high-speed rail line.
In addition, Wisconsin did not receive federal funds for $480.3 million in Medical Assistance, $13.2 million for job training for the disabled, $8.3 million for child support enforcement or $4.2 million for administration of the Medical Assistance and FoodShare programs.
The report concludes by saying that in turning down federal grants, policymakers are limiting the resources available to Wisconsin.
Jeff Snow, spokesperson for College Republicans, disagrees.
"It is not surprising that the liberal Wisconsin Budget Project believes that Wisconsin is ‘losing out' by not accepting 1.3 billion dollars in federal funds," Snow said.
"Federal money is not free and comes with strings attached that often costs states more in the long-term."
