Posted on 03/17/2009 9:12:15 PM PDT by MindBender26
State Rep. Wants Drug Testing for Unemployed
Making sure your taxpayer dollars are not being spent on drugs...one Texas Representative is hoping to make that a reality.
It's one of the latest bills to hit the house floor. It's Harris County Representative Ken Legler's attempt to take away unemployment benefits for those who cannot pass a drug test. Texas Workforce Commission's Trent Morris says to apply for unemployment you'll need, "dates you last worked, your approximate wage from your last job." But there's one thing you will not need to get that unemployment check... A drug test. Morris says, "Some people are eligible for up to 400 dollars a week." "A lot of people are probably spending that money on drugs." That's exactly what Representative Legler is afraid of... Using taxpayer money to feed drug habits of those receiving state unemployment checks.
Here's how his proposed bill works: If your potential employer requires a drug test, the state will pay for it, but if you fail, there are two possible consequences. Best case scenario...you tell the Texas Workforce Commission, and you will lose your benefits. Worst case scenario... You do not tell the TWC, and you not only lose benefits, but you'll also have to pay back any unemployment money you received. Legler says it's all an effort to ensure "benefits are provided to those who are ready and able to work."
Texas paid out 64 million in unemployment checks last week alone... Legler says in a time when the funds are running dry, the state cannot afford for taxpayer dollars to be given to those who mis-use it.
(Excerpt) Read more at newschannel10.com ...
Link won't work. Google KFDA-TV
Sounds fine, but if they implement such a plan, lets have the politicians take drug screenings before voting on legislation.
Ping
The new way to layoff employees in Texas is to do drug test prior to a layoff. If they fail no unemployment cost to the employer.
If the gubmint can tell a bank how they can and can’t spend their welfare then I don’t see anything wrong with this plan.
That’s novel.
That’s a great idea.
So why aren’t they doing this for all welfare recipients as well?
For danged sure a great idea!
Every penny they don;’t spend on drugs is a penny they can “invest” in booze, smokes, transfats, and the DNC.
anyone getting tax dollars should undergo weekly testing at random. we should have no-knock testing raids in the middle of the night for them.
I may catch crap for this but I think the idea stinks. It would be better to require drug testing of welfare recepients and residents of public housing. But I doubt the guy who has been in the work force long enough to be eligible for unemployment and who has to meet the conditions of actively looking for work (a lot of employers require drug tests of prospective hires) is going to be out spending his benefits on weed or meth.
No the ones who are more likely to spend tax dollars on drugs are those who have never worked and who have been reared with the attitude they are owed something by the government.
Agree. But I think unemployment beneficiaries should be drug tested when they apply for benefits and periodically thereafter.
IMHO, it you are receiving tax dollars as an individual, you should be willing to pass a random drug test. Period. It goes with the territory.
As far as penalty, first offense, loose benny for six months, second, loose for one year, third, loose for life. No screwing around.
If they pass such a law, then I want government employees to face the same scrutiny, including elected officials, appointed bureaucrats, government contractors and people on special assignments for the state.
How about nobody on public money votes? Too fair to the rest of us?
But then how would they get a raise?
test the welfare recipients. I don’t want my tax dollars given to them being used to purchase drugs.
how bout we test for booze, caffiene, chocolate, trans-fats, and prostate cancer for the unemployed as well? Better yet, let’s forbid them from paying for cable/sat tv, internet access, magazine subscriptions, extra-soft toilet paper, fresh produce and meat, and any other non-essential luxury item that ‘we’ shouldn’t be paying for. those lazy bastards lost their jobs for a reason and they should only eat gruel and be limited to one lukewarm shower a month until they find proper employment. anyone caught with luxury items while recieving government assistance will be shot on sight.
An absolutely OUTSTANDING idea!
Get with it.
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