Perry, Dewhurst support drug testing for welfare, unemployment benefits

[TexasTowelie]

Texas’ top two leaders on Tuesday endorsed a change in state law to require first-ever mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients and those receiving unemployment assistance.

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the move would keep welfare recipients from spending money on illegal drugs, instead of necessary living expenses for which it is intended, and would cut down on unemployment costs to businesses for unemployed Texans who cannot pass a drug test.

At least 23 other states including Florida have either implemented a similar change or are considering it, as welfare reform has become a key issue among conservatives and in cash-strapped states looking to tighten elegibility criteria and to curb abuses.

“Texas taxpayers will not subsidize or tolerate illegal drug abuse,” Perry said at a morning press conference to announce his support of the change. “Every dollar that goes to someone who uses it inappropriately is a dollar that can’t go to a Texan who needs it for housing, child care or medicine. Being on drugs makes it much harder to begin the journey to independence, which only assures individuals remain stuck in the terrible cycle of drug abuse and poverty.”

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/perry-dewhurst-support-drug-testing-for-welfare-un/nS5dT/

[font color=green]I was going to comment on this story, but I got high. [/font]

[elleng]

1. Hasn't florida done this, and found virtually NO illicit drug use?

And WHO pays for the testing???

[DollarBillHines]

2. Test elected officials first nt

[NoPasaran]

4. Perry should have been tested during some of his bizarre performances

During his short presidential bid.

[hobbit709]

9. didn't he try to blame his weird performances on pain pills?

[NoPasaran]

3. Wan't this tried in some other state (Georgia?)

And it turned out to be enormously expensive and ineffective?

Of course, we can spare no expense when it's being used to kick a poor person or someone down on their luck in the teeth!

[onestepforward]

8. It was Florida.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/no-savings-found-in-florida-welfare-drug-tests.html?_r=0

-snip-

From July through October in Florida — the four months when testing took place before Judge Scriven’s order — 2.6 percent of the state’s cash assistance applicants failed the drug test, or 108 of 4,086, according to the figures from the state obtained by the group. The most common reason was marijuana use. An additional 40 people canceled the tests without taking them.

Because the Florida law requires that applicants who pass the test be reimbursed for the cost, an average of $30, the cost to the state was $118,140. This is more than would have been paid out in benefits to the people who failed the test, Mr. Newton said.

As a result, the testing cost the government an extra $45,780, he said.
-snip-

Dumbasses don't learn anything.

[muntrv]

5. Let's start with Perry and Dewhurst. Don't want tax dollars subsidizing these dopes

[bluestateguy]

6. How about fingerprinting welfare recipients?

Don't a few states do that?

[johnsolaris]

7. hypocrisy

Hi,

Once again the Idiots that say we should have a less intrusive government in our lives, find a way to make government more intrusive into our lives. Oh, by the way !!!!! Just where is the money for this more intrusive program going to come from. Maybe they will raise taxes. No wait, we can't do that, now can we !!!!

[vinny9698]

10. Rick Scott used his cronies drug testing companies, it all a scam to give money to his friends

I wonder which drug testing company is going to get the contract. One of Perry;s supporters. Just a scam to rip off the government.

[LeftInTX]

11. Dems need to push back on this & require politicians to get drug testing

[malokvale77]

12. Oh, for crying out loud,

this place sucks more every day. I didn't think that was possible.

Thing is though, most of the druggies I know are teabaggers and receiving some kind of assistance. Man are they gonna holler.

Having said that, Rick Perry is one sick bastard.

[ceile]

13. Continued push to women, children and families

The women and children of this state continued to get screwed.