Gov. Scott Walker has always dismissed the idea of using segregated funds to help balance the state budget.

But buried on page 125 of the budget repair bill is a proposal to take $28 million in reserves from the state's health insurance/pharmacy fund and spend it in the second half of this year.

The monies would be used to offset costs for providing health insurance for state employees from July 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2011.

The Group Health Insurance Fund is money paid in through a combination of employee and state contributions. Managed by the Department of Employee Trust Funds, the fund covers insurance premiums for public workers. It also serves as a rainy day fund to safeguard against sudden increases in health care costs or premiums.

The question, of course, is whether the Walker proposal is constitutional. ETF spokesman Matt Stohr says his agency would explore whether it is, in fact, legal.