FL Drug Tests Welfare Recipients

[Amskeptic]

Everywhere I look, it is NOT about job creation as promised at the midterm elections. Are we going to drug-test the executives at oil companies who receive billions of tax payer dollars?

Florida governor signs welfare drug-screen measure
By the CNN Wire Staff
June 1, 2011

Saying it is "unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction," Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed legislation requiring adults applying for welfare assistance to undergo drug screening.
"It's the right thing for taxpayers," Scott said after signing the measure. "It's the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance. We don't want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs."
Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services will be required to conduct the drug tests on adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The aid recipients would be responsible for the cost of the screening, which they would recoup in their assistance if they qualify. Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children.
Shortly after the bill was signed, five Democrats from the state's congressional delegation issued a joint statement attacking the legislation, one calling it "downright unconstitutional."
"Governor Scott's new drug testing law is not only an affront to families in need and detrimental to our nation's ongoing economic recovery, it is downright unconstitutional," said Rep. Alcee Hastings. "If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of TANF benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?"
Rep. Corrine Brown said the tests "represent an extreme and illegal invasion of personal privacy."
"Indeed, investigating people when there is probable cause to suspect they are abusing drugs is one thing," Brown said in the joint statement. "But these tests amount to strip searching our state's most vulnerable residents merely because they rely on the government for financial support during these difficult economic times." Joining in the statement denouncing the measure were Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor, Ted Deutch and Frederica Wilson.

Controversy over the measure was heightened by Scott's past association with a company he co-founded that operates walk-in urgent care clinics in Florida and counts drug screening among the services it provides. In April, Scott, who had transferred his ownership interest in Solantic Corp. to a trust in his wife's name, said the company would not contract for state business, according to local media reports.

[airkooledchris]

eh, don't waste your money testing the executives taking tax payer dollars - they can afford the much more powerful and legal prescription drugs to get high off of.
the co-pay for their insurance on that Prozac, Adderall, Viagra and other non-vital medications is much cheaper than the street drugs your common welfare mother scores.

We don't want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs."

Ok Gov Scott, how about you submit your drug test before taking your next vacation, since it's paid for by the tax payers?

[hambone]

And here we go. I can only guess the "drugs" they test for.
How enjoyable to see the clamps tightening all over the country. It started with employers piling on the work "oh well we're lucky to have jobs", and then the employers using this climate to their advantage. Employers with record profits no less.

[Sylvester]

They need to drug screen everyone taking something from the state, like this quote:

Alcee Hastings. "If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of TANF benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?"

This law is unfairly targeting those applying for this aid, period, and the lawmakers that voted for it, and the people that support this law with vile enthusiasm need a reality check. Any company soliciting bids for state contracts needs is CEO, owner AND employees screened for drugs also, random and periodic. All lawmakers too, they are receiving a taxpayer paycheck. While we are at it, screen for alcohol consumption too, no need to give money to drunks either, drug screening will push addicts to drinking, have to beat them to the pass! That will get a few of them too, as:

Those at risk for developing alcoholism include:

Men who have 15 or more drinks a week

Women who have 12 or more drinks a week

Anyone who has five or more drinks per occasion at least once a week

Scan us all. Sort us out.

[hambone]

I have about 14 beers a week so I'm safe thank God. Unless I'm a wimmen?
Man do I hate control. Why so many rules? Kids need rules yes. $$$ created rules for everyone.

[ruckman101]

Let's attack the least empowered.


neal

[RussellK]

How do I have an intelligent discussion when I'm livid. These people are despicable.

[glasseye]

Playing to the congregation, is what they're doing.

Like hambone, I wanna ask "which drugs, specifically?"

[hambone]

Yes it's strange how we humans put on our own shackles. Fear is powerful, it was Luke's biggest problem in that damned dark cave. Fear of our own demise is the biggest motivator I think.

[ruckman101]

What does it cost for a drug test. Applicants who pass are reimbursed. Essentially we have a state mandated application fee. So now you may not be able to apply for welfare, because you can't afford the cost of the application drug test fee.


neal

[steve74baywin]

First off a thing or two about this comment "unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction".
1) They can't buy drugs with the welfare. So it should read "unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize food for those who use something they have labeled as a drug".
2) It is unfair for someone to take the money from me against my will, and then decide who they will give it too. Are there any free countries out there? I would like to find it if so.

Let me decide if my neighbor deserves help from me.
I only have so many years living in this form on this planet. When do I get to be in charge of my life?

[Amskeptic]

Let me decide if my neighbor deserves help from me.
When do I get to be in charge of my life?

Uh, no thanks.
If you have to ask ......

[thomas]

I think its awesome! Seeing anyone spend money on "recreationals" while buying food with stamps tells me they really didnt need help with anything other than clarification of priorities. Sometimes its a tough decision of "my fun" versus "family needs" but its a part of life. That being said I do believe people need help sometimes and have no problem with digging my wallet out or devoting my time if I feel its really gonna make a difference.

[Amskeptic]

I think its awesome! Seeing anyone spend money on "recreationals" while buying food with stamps tells me they really didnt need help with anything other than clarification of priorities. Sometimes its a tough decision of "my fun" versus "family needs" but its a part of life. That being said I do believe people need help sometimes and have no problem with digging my wallet out or devoting my time if I feel its really gonna make a difference.

Exactly!

Clarification of priorities includes a discussion about blowing billions of our tax dollars on tax write-offs for oil companies while we gut education and healthcare. To sneer at poor people's priorities like Florida appears to be doing is to invite a broader discussion of Our Priorities.

[sped372]

I understand the sentiment... I've been upset plenty of times when I met people proclaiming how they're milking the assistance programs. They've all continued to live a very comfortable lifestyle with plenty of things that I do not believe are necessary for the rest of society to be funding. There are needs, and then there are wants.

We've chosen to reduce living expenses by forgoing cable television, smartphones, and other nonessential services. To be frank, I don't want to work my ass off to foot the bill for others to have these things. I don't feel guilty about that. Food, shelter, heat, education, health... yes, toys - no.

That said, I don't think that simply cutting off these benefits (or making people jump through endless hoops to receive them) is the answer. I also don't feel good about working my ass off while other "more important" people rake it in by taking advantage of the bulk of society... I don't want to fund that either! It's the sense of entitlement that's the problem and that has run rampant throughout the entire population... we have to solve that. But how do we solve what seems to be one of humanity's basic, ingrained, traits - selfishness?

I don't think a responsible society should feel ok about certain members making millions while others have trouble putting food on the table. There's a certain threshold where more money is just more money and honestly, I think it's a lot lower than many people are willing to admit. In most areas of this country a responsible family could be comfortable on $50k/year. I don't see how anyone making over $100k has anything to complain about.