Posted on 06/01/2011 6:36:35 AM PDT by CharlyFord
TALLAHASSEE -- People applying for welfare benefits must pay for drug testing under a bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law today.
If they pass, they'll be reimbursed for the cost of the test. If they don't, they won't receive temporary government assistance. Scott signed the bill in Panama City along with another measure that bans the designer drug MDPV, which is sold as bath salts.
The drug testing bill was a priority for Scott and an issue he campaigned on
(Excerpt) Read more at 2.tbo.com ...
solid argument against this:
Minor custodial children of drug users will be denied benefits if the drug using guardian fails the drug test?
Without probable cause, why should the state be allowed to demand a DNA sample?
Having spent time in Florida, I understand why people wanted this law on the books. Still, it constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure,
I know...but here’s the supreme courts logic.
In order to get Federal money the states have to do what the feds say. Like Highway speed limits, saftey laws, dollar matches, etc... that’s perfectly legal (even though it’s really the states money to begin with—the feds just tax it out from under them.
But for states they have to give welfare to people no questions asked. This *might* be the way Florida is going which may be legal. I think Michigan was a random drug test...whereas this is the price to enter the welfare game. Kind of like an application. Just like if I want to be a prison guard they will do a background check on me (which can also include a drug test). So if you want to participate in welfare you have to take a test.
we have an awesome governor in florida
Realizing, of course, that this was written tongue-in-cheek, as a public school teacher, the idea appeals to me.
It's been a long year, and I'm tired of being held accountable for students who get high everyday before school.
Regrets for drifting off topic...
How so? They can demand a drug test if you want a state job. They can demand a drug test if you want to apply for the job of welfare recipient. This is different than the Michigan law where it was a random test. This is a requirement to get the “job”.
But I’m sure a liberal judge will overturn it; however, this one has a chance to be upheld at higher courts.
Another option is to cut welfare benefits in 1/2 every year and just get rid of the program completely. Make everyone suffer—I’m sure that will please the libs.
“tired of being held accountable “
Agree. I always thought 90% of education is the effort of the student.
But now, like in video games where you “earn” skills/abilities simply by collecting an item, the impression is given that you can touch kids w/a wand and -poof! - they’re edumacated!
To make it worse, you can’t discipline them w/o getting your butt sued off.
The poor druggies will have to lay off hard drugs for 2 or 3 days before testing. The pot smokers will be caught since it stays in their system for most of a month. This is a good program just the same. My rep, Cathy Kastor is up in arms since she represents a plantation district hugging Tampa Bay. Three blacks are whining including a couple of corrupt reps like Alcee Hastings, former judge (impeached). Nice work Governor Scott.
Children's benefits will remain intact, but their benefits will only be given to a person who passes the drug test.
Without probable cause, why should the state be allowed to demand a DNA sample?
This is not a "search" nor is it compulsary. This is an application for benefit. As part of the application process, a drug test is required. If you don't want to give a drug test, you do not have to apply for benefits.
Just like if a company has a requirement of drug testing before employment is offered. If you don't want to take the drug test, the company does not have to offer you the job.
congrats Florida...now just elect Adam Hasner to the senate in 2012...
We’ll see how it plays out. Will they continue to be tested or just initially? How much do the tests cost? Is it really fair to require applicants (many of whom are NOT drug users) to pay for the tests? What if they can’t afford it? If you are out of work with no money, how can you pay? That must be some sort of discrimination. And if the tests are ongoing, who pays for them? How often will they be done?
How about we drug test all CEOs and employees of companies that received TARP money or special tax breaks? How about testing Congress (which was already found unconstitutional)? How about testing the president (which I am all for!)? How about testing every candidate for public office?
Why just pick on the poor?
LOL!
The Democrats are going to poop their diapers over this even more than they poop their diapers when Republicans demand that voters have ID in order to vote, or threaten to pull the public funding of infanticide through Planned Parenthood.
The Democrats are really getting spanked now!
“That’s going to save a lot of tax payer money”
Really? You think so?
By the time you tally in the cost of testing, the cost of enforcement (for disputed tests and yes, there ARE false positives-poppy seeds are one cause) and the cost of the agency to get the whole damn thing together...
You guys aren’t about saving money in this case, you are about ‘owning’ people on food stamps.
Sorry, this is where I completely disagree. If I pay my taxes for three decades, lose my job and have to file for stamps... well, making me pee in a cup is only going to tick me off.
Who cares? Personally, I'm sick of "the poor".
“That’s going to save a lot of tax payer money”
Really? You think so?
By the time you tally in the cost of testing, the cost of enforcement (for disputed tests and yes, there ARE false positives-poppy seeds are one cause) and the cost of the agency to get the whole damn thing together...
You guys aren’t about saving money in this case, you are about ‘owning’ people on food stamps.
Sorry, this is where I completely disagree. If I pay my taxes for three decades, lose my job and have to file for stamps... well, making me pee in a cup is only going to tick me off.
By the way, why does no one here question the fact that the governor of Florida owns a chain of medical facilities that... tada... does drug testing?
I certainly questioned it.
yup. michigan found it unconstitutional.
Good! I’m sorry, but having an “R” by your name does not make one free from corruption. The fact that he has his fortune in facilities that have made millions in the drug testing trade should NOT BE IGNORED in this legislation.
I guess I’m just skeptical and like Rush’s advice of ‘follow the money.’
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31
“Still, it constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure,”
I respectfully disagree. No one is forced to accept public assistance, so a person can reasonably avoid these intrusions. Once a person accepts government help, they must abide by certain conditions. And of course there are government rules and regulations that recipients must abide by such as reporting assets, income, number in household. If a recipient makes too much money, they are obviously denied the benefit. The government is simply adding another condition to receive a benefit; the recipient is free to take it or leave it.
“Minor custodial children of drug users will be denied benefits if the drug using guardian fails the drug test?”
True, this presents a hardship for an innocent party, but who is primarily responsible for this situation- the parent or the state? Some exceptions should exist in this law, but we should ask if these children are well served by being raised by drug addicts? Several things could occur as a result of this law: some parents will straighten up when confronted with losing benefits or even custody of their children. Some parents may actually lose custody of their children, and in most cases it will be to the benefit of the child not to be raised in a home filled with drug addled adults.
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