Latest Breaking News

inanna

(3,547 posts) Fri Dec 26, 2014, 06:19 PM Dec 2014

Snyder signs suspicion-based drug testing bills [View all]

Source: Detroit Free Press

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation today that creates a drug-testing program for adult welfare recipients who are suspected of using drugs.

The Republican-backed proposals, House Bill 4118 and Senate Bill 275, were among several bills approved by Snyder. The one-year pilot program will be implemented in three counties that have not yet been determined.

<snip>

Opponents of the legislation, including the Michigan League for Public Policy, have said similar programs in other states haven't saved taxpayers money. The nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency estimated a statewide program would cost roughly $700,000 to $3.4 million, while potentially saving $370,000 to $3.7 million in caseload reductions.

The American Civil Liberties Union has said the program would promote ugly stereotypes of poor people and discriminate against a group that doesn't use drugs at a rate significantly higher than the general population.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/12/26/snyder-sigsn-suspicion-based-drug-testing-bills/20918625/

30 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Snyder signs suspicion-based drug testing bills [View all] inanna Dec 2014 OP

Test CEOs The Jungle 1 Dec 2014 #1

Put A Hex On Them billhicks76 Dec 2014 #30

test everyone in the legislature oldandhappy Dec 2014 #2

Blatantly unconstitutional. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #3

In Canada, social workers used to do home visits to determine if one "qualified" for assistance. inanna Dec 2014 #4

I hear you. They used to come in some states in the US as well. And having had a few of those jwirr Dec 2014 #14

If cons do respect the constitution why do they pass transparently bad laws blatantly attacking it? Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #17

They were *never* on board with the Constitution. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #18

Post removed Post removed Dec 2014 #25

I'd bet you're the one that doesn't work here. notadmblnd Dec 2014 #26

'Suspicion' based on what? elleng Dec 2014 #5

Exactly! Was my question too. n/t inanna Dec 2014 #6

Unfortunately journalist, elleng Dec 2014 #7

Suspicion of being Black lobodons Dec 2014 #8

suspicion of being poor ccarmenfrongillo Dec 2014 #24

wait until heaven05 Dec 2014 #9

Yikes. blkmusclmachine Dec 2014 #20

I have yet to hear an answer to the Q Cryptoad Dec 2014 #10

Best Q in the world. Also (from experience) husband is a user - wife (or vice versa) is not. She jwirr Dec 2014 #13

Of course the SCOTUS,,,,, Cryptoad Dec 2014 #15

I'm sure my white sister and brother-in-law, a "good" church going couple SoapBox Dec 2014 #11

explanation The Jungle 1 Dec 2014 #23

"suspected drug users" leaves a lot of room for abuse. But above all it has not been effective in jwirr Dec 2014 #12

It's good politics for Republicans. Demonizing the poor and people of color. Comrade Grumpy Dec 2014 #28

What a cretin PumpkinAle Dec 2014 #16

Kick them while their down legislation project_bluebook Dec 2014 #19

Heartless scumbag. BeanMusical Dec 2014 #21

I wonder which of his relatives owns a drug testing company Siwsan Dec 2014 #22

This laws was declared void in Florida Gothmog Dec 2014 #27

That's why this law is "suspicion-based." Comrade Grumpy Dec 2014 #29