Analysis

Fraudsters scammed billions in pandemic unemployment funds

By Mark Lisheron & Mike Nichols

The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimated this week that people who filed for unemployment insurance during the pandemic stole somewhere between $100 billion and $135 billion in benefits — just a portion of the estimated fraud across all federal pandemic programs.

An Associated Press investigation earlier this summer estimated that more than $280 billion in taxpayer-underwritten funding across all COVID programs was stolen — “the greatest grift in U.S. history,” as the news service termed it.

Federal officials repeatedly said that in an international health emergency it was most important to spend these unprecedented sums as quickly as possible. Accounting for whether the money was spent honestly and prudently, the growing body of evidence shows, was an afterthought.

Little of the fraud has so far been detected and reported by the states.

Policy Brief

Overregulated Childcare: Wisconsin’s 2023-’25 Biennial Budget and the Path Ahead

By Angela Rachidi

Childcare is essential for many working families in Wisconsin. Not only do working parents need a safe place for their children, but children can benefit developmentally from appropriate and engaging activities early in life. However, government policies that overregulate childcare can drive up costs and reduce access unnecessarily. To increase access and affordability, policymakers must improve the childcare regulatory environment. 

The Legislature appears ready to confront this. Eliminating unnecessary or unverifiable regulations can reduce compliance costs for childcare providers without sacrificing quality — savings that they can pass on to families. Fewer regulations will increase competition among childcare providers, return authority to parents and ultimately make childcare more affordable for Wisconsin families.

Badger on Air

Mike Nichols on the story of Sept. 11 victim Andrea Haberman and the WI 9/11 memorial

Wisconsin’s Morning News with Meg Ellefson

Mike Nichols on the anti-conservative bias in a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report

Wisconsin’s Morning News with Meg Ellefson

Mark Lisheron on his report concerning state fire and EMS services, staffing and funding

The Vicki McKenna Show (Begins at 55:25)

At a Glance

As of May 1, 2023, states reported identifying $3.9 billion in fraud and $214 million in fraud recoveries for pandemic unemployment insurance programs.

Source: GAO analysis of Department of Labor data | GAO-23-106696

Badger Events

Join us Thursday, October 12 (formerly October 3) for the Badger Institute Annual Dinner. Rep. Mike Gallagher will deliver keynote remarks on democracy, freedom and the threat of the Chinese Communist Party.

• Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts | Brookfield, WI

• 5:00 p.m. VIP cocktail reception with buffet-style dinner

• 5:30 p.m. general admission cocktail reception with buffet-style dinner

• 6:30 p.m. presentation and keynote remarks

Sponsorship opportunities are available, along with general registration and VIP meet-and-greet tickets.

Weekly Survey: Should lawmakers reduce the regulatory burden on Wisconsin childcare providers?

Previous Poll Results:

Although the majority of respondents (48%) estimated that roughly three-fourths of Wisconsin fire departments rely primarily or in part on volunteer help, the percentage is much larger. According to Mark Lisheron’s latest report, 93% of state fire departments rely, in some form, on volunteer help.

Invest in the Badger Institute

The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Executive Vice President.

The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded solely by the generosity of foundations, companies and individuals.