3 GOP State Senators in Wisconsin Get Farm Subsidies

Critics see it as hypocrisy on spending
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 9, 2011 3:25 PM CST
3 GOP State Senators in Wisconsin Get Farm Subsidies
In this Feb . 19, 2011 file photo, Neporsha Hamlin, center, of Madison, Wis, protests the governor's budget bill at the State Capitol in Madison.   (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)

Three GOP state senators in Wisconsin fighting to cut wages and collective bargaining rights of public workers in the name of the budget have accepted a total of about $300,000 in federal farm subsidies, reports Sam Stein at the Huffington Post. There's no direct link between the subsidies and the state's budget crisis—but it doesn't exactly support Republicans' argument that they're out to rein in government spending, say critics.

“Members of both parties preach fiscal austerity all the time, but then when it comes to farm subsides going to farmers in their districts, they think the spigot should remain wide open,” says a spokesman for a group that tracks the subsidies. (More farm subsidies stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X