Wisconsin State Rep. Steve Wieckert, R-Appleton, wants to put child support slackers online in an attempt to shame parents into paying up with a little interwebs intimidation. Before you go cheering on the Republican from the Fox Valley, take note that a mother who claims she's owed $37,000 in child support and interest by her daughter's father is the brains behind the legislation, which will be proposed this month.
After many attempts to recover the child supported owed to her, custodial parent Julie Jentz read an article about how successful a state website worked in recovering delinquent tax funds. She thought the idea would convert well in pressuring child support non-payers into settling their debts. According to the fired up state rep who turned Jentz's idea into proposed legislation, $3 billion is owed in child support in Wisconsin alone.
My thought on this is Hey, whatever it takes. Sure, complicated situations surround every split parenting relationship, but at some point -- as Jentz seems to know all too well -- the pressure needs to be increased. Hopefully, measures like this site won't be too late to get Jentz what she's owed to fairly care for her child.
