Legislators pass Republican-drawn plan for deploying $31 million in opioid settlement funds that directs more funds to law enforcement
Corrinne HessMADISON – Wisconsin Republicans passed their own plan Thursday for $31 million in opioid settlement funds, rejecting the Evers administration's proposal and instead directing more money to law enforcement.
The new plan was passed unanimously by the Joint Committee on Finance.
During a news conference before the committee meeting, finance co-chair state Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, said the plan received by the state Department of Health Services in August was "unilateral."
"Unfortunately, once again we saw the Evers administration, particularly the Department of Health, fail with a half-baked plan," Born said. "There was a lack of details, there was a lack of clear working with stakeholders."
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said the finance committee's passage of a plan for the opioid money allows the state to begin using $31 million in settlement funds.
"While we shouldn’t have had to spur Republicans on the Joint Finance
Committee into action to address this vital issue, it is a positive development that
these funds will be available to address the opioid crisis without further unnecessary
delay," Kaul said in a statement.
The Republican plan still included about 85% of the Department of Health Services proposals. Those include:
- $10 million for capital projects that will expand treatment and recovery services.
- $6 million for tribal nations to address the dramatic increase in opioid overdose deaths.
- $3 million for harm reduction by increasing the availability of Narcan, a drug that counteracts opioids.
- $2 million to distribute fentanyl test strips around the state.
Republicans removed $2 million for family support programs and instead allocated $3 million to law enforcement agencies, under a competitive grant program.
Related:After the deaths of 2 UWM students, UW campuses make Narcan more widely available
The grant money will be used for medication-assisted treatment education and awareness training, a community drug disposal program, treatment of jail inmates with opioid use disorder, and supporting pre-arrest and pre-arraignment diversion strategies.
State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, asked the finance committee to reconsider removing funding for family support programs.
Erpenbach talked about his own family's long struggle with drug addiction. His 27-year-old daughter is homeless and addicted to drugs.
"I'm at a point now where I'm driving around town looking for her in the diviest motels out there," Erpenbach said. "There are a million places to turn to, but there aren't any places to turn to. Families don't know where to go. I don't know what questions to ask."
The $31 million was awarded from a legal settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors.
The National Prescription Opiate Litigation (NPOL) settlement was reached as part of agreements that Attorney General Josh Kaul entered into settling the state’s legal claims.
DHS received its first $6 million payment on July 29 to begin using immediately, while the remaining $25 million is expected by the end of the calendar year.
Corrinne Hess can be reached at chess@gannett.com. Follow her @corrihess