Posted on 05/06/2011 12:53:13 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
TALLAHASSEE -- Applying for welfare benefits in Florida? Soon you’ll need to get drug tested.
A measure requiring the tests passed the Senate on Thursday and is headed to Gov. Rick Scott, who called it one of his legislative priorities.
“It’s fair to taxpayers,” Scott said after the vote. “They’re paying the bill. And they’re often drug screened for their jobs. On top of that, it’s good for families. It creates another reason why people will think again before using drugs, which as you know is just a significant issue in our state.”
Scott already signed an executive order requiring random drug testing of state workers.
HB 353 requires all adult recipients of federal cash benefits — the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program — to pay for the tests, which are typically around $35. The screen would be for all controlled substances and applicants would have to disclose any legal prescriptions.
Recipients who test positive for drugs would lose their benefits for a year. If they fail a second time, they lose the benefits for three years. Parents who test positive must designate another adult to receive benefits on behalf of their children.
Those who pass would be reimbursed by having their benefits increased by the cost of the test.
“This is an effort to stop this cycle of drug abuse,” said Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville, one of the sponsors, who added the requirement was similar to one that many employers make of workers.
(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
How long before one hears screams of ‘racism’?
“F”em! If you want the money take the test!
Is beer a drug?
It’s about time!!!!!!!!!!
bump
This is NOT a bad idea. There are some safeguards as well for prescription medications or a visit to the dentist (novacaine can test positive).
How long before one hears screams of ‘racism’?
About one minute after the first study showing a disproportionate number of a certain racial group being denied compared to whitey.
“Is beer a drug?”
Yea, but don’t tell anyone.
I’m sure the liberal view is that drug testing people on public assistance is violating people’s rights.
Well, if you want to use drugs, then you can’t be on public assistance. We all make choices in life.
I’m sure liberals will decry drug addicts getting kicked off public assistance. They will say that now they can’t get treated for their addictions, among other things.
Folks come down here from the cold and immediately apply for every kind fo welfare that's available.
I know of a rehab center in SW Florida that accommodates “addicts” from the NE during the winter time for 30 day stints-they leave for a week, get a $500 welfare check, use it on drugs and are back at the rehab center for 30 more days of “a cot and 3 hots” a pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts.
All of this, of course, sponsored by the taxpayer!
NEXT for the drug tests: Incumbent politicians.
EXACTLY. We need to laugh in the face of every preposterous use of the race card. We are going to see it more and more as 2012 gets closer.
(novacaine can test positive).
Not for cocaine. The mass spec is incontrovertible evidence for cocaine use.
This is so great I can’t stand it...jumping for joy that FINALLY it’s about time someone applied some common logic to this gimmeee-gimmee group - can’t pass a drug test then you can’t get a job..same rule should apply to welfare.
Finally, common sense prevails.
I’ve heard this mentioned in Texas.
Wonder if this will become a national trend.
I can see it happening in Ohio. Our state is running a 10 billion dollar budget deficit and our governor has made it clear that he is serious about cutting costs.
Nope! It is a NUTRITIOUS FOOD!
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