MADISON, Wis (WSAU-Wheeler News) Wisconsinites could soon face tougher penalties for lying to get unemployment benefits. The Assembly public benefits panel voted ten-to-five Tuesday to raise the maximum fine from $500 to $10,000 for lying on jobless benefit applications. Jail terms would rise from the current maximum of 90 days to nine months for fraud of less than $2,500, with higher penalties for more fraud.
The Republican bill was among dozens which had committee votes or public hearings Tuesday, as lawmakers hustle to end their current session in March. Among other things, bills were endorsed to make it easier build on dry lake beds — force health care providers to report evidence of child sexual contact to welfare agencies as abuse — and grant state tax breaks for certain research by companies in clusters of targeted industries.
