Florida governor defends measure requiring drug tests for welfare

**Curt James** · 06-05-2011, 07:33 PM

Florida governor defends measure requiring drug tests for welfare

By the CNN Wire Staff
UPDATED: 06:03 PM EDT 06.05.11

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday defended recent legislation that requires adults applying for welfare assistance to undergo drug screenings, saying the law provides "personal accountability."

"It's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction," Scott told CNN's T.J. Holmes on Sunday. "On top of that, this is going to increase personal responsibility, personal accountability. We shouldn't be subsidizing people's addiction."

But the ACLU of Florida, which has already filed suit against Scott over a measure requiring government employees to undergo random drug testing, disagrees, and may sue over the welfare law as well.

"What (Scott) is doing is giving ugly legitimacy to an unfortunate stereotype that has been in this country for a couple of decades -- that all welfare recipients are a bunch of drug abusers," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

Scott told CNN he wants to ensure that welfare funds go to their primary target -- to disadvantaged children -- and provide people with an incentive not to use drugs. He signed the measure on June 1, calling it "the right thing for taxpayers."

Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services will be required to conduct the drug tests on adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The aid recipients would be responsible for the cost of the screening, which they would recoup in their assistance if they qualify.

Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children, and do not receive a refund for the test.

Shortly after the bill was signed, five Democrats from the state's congressional delegation issued a joint statement attacking the legislation, one calling it "downright unconstitutional."

"Governor Scott's new drug testing law is not only an affront to families in need and detrimental to our nation's ongoing economic recovery, it is downright unconstitutional," said Rep. Alcee Hastings.

"If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of TANF benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?"

"I work for the ACLU, and it's our job to prevent trampling on the constitutional rights of people," Simon said. The Constitution mandates that searches cannot be conducted without probable cause, he said.

Controversy over the measure was heightened by Scott's past association with a company he co-founded that operates walk-in urgent care clinics in Florida and counts drug screening among the services it provides.

In April, Scott, who had transferred his ownership interest in Solantic Corp. to a trust in his wife's name, said the company would not contract for state business, according to local media reports.

Asked about the company Sunday, Scott said he is in the process of selling his family's interest in the company and "it will be sold in a couple of weeks." There is no conflict of interest, he said.

On May 18, the Florida Ethics Commission ruled that two conflict-of-interest complaints against Scott were legally insufficient to warrant investigation, and adopted an opinion that no "prohibited conflict of interest" existed.

On the measure requiring public employees to undergo drug testing, Simon noted that public employees -- workers in city, county, state and federal government -- are protected by the Constitution and should not undergo "intrusive" drug testing without probable cause to believe a person is using drugs.

From CNN.com

**returnofthdragon** · 06-05-2011, 07:38 PM

Every state should do this.

**Phetamine** · 06-05-2011, 07:47 PM

Great idea, hope it saves more money then it costs though.

**DOMS** · 06-05-2011, 07:55 PM

Good for him.

"It's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction"

Damn straight.

**ihateschoolmt** · 06-05-2011, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Curt James

"What (Scott) is doing is giving ugly legitimacy to an unfortunate stereotype that has been in this country for a couple of decades -- that all welfare recipients are a bunch of drug abusers," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

If it's such a stereotype then they shouldn't have problems passing the drug tests... It's not like he said only drug test the black people. I don't see how that's a stereotypical statement, lots of jobs and random stuff require drug testing. That's like saying all people at the nuclear plant my dad works at are being stereotyped against because they require drug testing. I don't want a heroin addict nodding out at the nuclear control center and I don't want my taxes paying for coke. GTFO of here with that bullshit.

**LAM** · 06-05-2011, 11:41 PM

the only reason why Rick Scott is doing it is because he owns a drug testing company that is going to be performing the testing. or I should say he "transferred" his share in the company over to his wife...

Scott is nothing more than a pos politician that is using his position to line his pockets

most people don't understand the welfare system or WIC, etc. it has gone through great changes since the legislation passed under Clinton, you have to jump through hoops to actually get TANF. WIC is a hole different story

60% of americans receive some form of assistance from the fed gov...

why should one family that receives food stamps have to be drug tested while another that receives the EITC from the IRS annually does not?

both are receiving monies from the fed gov, neither can afford the family size that they have.

**ANIMALHAUS** · 06-06-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by ihateschoolmt

If it's such a stereotype then they shouldn't have problems passing the drug tests... It's not like he said only drug test the black people. I don't see how that's a stereotypical statement, lots of jobs and random stuff require drug testing. That's like saying all people at the nuclear plant my dad works at are being stereotyped against because they require drug testing. I don't want a heroin addict nodding out at the nuclear control center and I don't want my taxes paying for coke. GTFO of here with that bullshit.

x2

**LAM** · 06-06-2011, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by ihateschoolmt

It's not like he said only drug test the black people. I don't see how that's a stereotypical statement, lots of jobs and random stuff require drug testing.

actually that's not correct at all...not many jobs at all require drug testing just the ones on the lower end of the pay scale like those in transportation (which is a good thing) and retail, etc.

the higher up in wages you go the less drug testing there is.

**myCATpowerlifts** · 06-06-2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

actually that's not correct at all...not many jobs at all require drug testing just the ones on the lower end of the pay scale like those in transportation (which is a good thing) and retail, etc.

the higher up in wages you go the less drug testing there is.

Bingo!!

**ANIMALHAUS** · 06-06-2011, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by myCATpowerlifts

Bingo!!

Transportation is government funded, and that is why you will find drug test requirements.

With that said, the government funds welfare. No 9-5, or 40 hours a week... just freeeeeee $$$$$$$$. So why should welfare recipients be an exception to the rule?

In addition to being tested for welfare, they should have to do mandatory community service. Whether it be picking up trash, or planting trees.

These are the words coming from a hard working, tax paying American.

**LAM** · 06-06-2011, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by ANIMALHOUSE

Transportation is government funded, and that is why you will find drug test requirements.

With that said, the government funds welfare. No 9-5, or 40 hours a week... just freeeeeee $$$$$$$$. So why should welfare recipients be an exception to the rule?

so corporate welfare doesn't count?...that's cause those guys make 10's of million a year...but they guy that makes 18K a year needs to get tested...it's bullshit

**Bubbles!** · 06-06-2011, 01:58 PM

Absolutely every state should do this. Good for Gov. Rick Scott!!!!

**ihateschoolmt** · 06-06-2011, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

actually that's not correct at all...not many jobs at all require drug testing just the ones on the lower end of the pay scale like those in transportation (which is a good thing) and retail, etc.

the higher up in wages you go the less drug testing there is.

Cmon now, really? Fine... SOME jobs require drug testing. Quite a few reserve the right to drug test if they want though, I just got a job as a systems engineer and I can be drug tested if they feel like it, so can my dad as a higher up supervisor in a nuclear plant.

**returnofthdragon** · 06-06-2011, 04:23 PM

I was tested when hired and can be tested at any time. My job requires a degree.

**LAM** · 06-06-2011, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by ihateschoolmt

Cmon now, really? Fine... SOME jobs require drug testing. Quite a few reserve the right to drug test if they want though, I just got a job as a systems engineer and I can be drug tested if they feel like it, so can my dad as a higher up supervisor in a nuclear plant.

what state do you live in? the right to drug test is different in "forced union" states vs. right to work states.

from personal experience I have not had to take a urine analysis since 1987 when I worked at the local Ford dealership moving cars, they had to for insurance reasons.

that sucks that you had to take a drug test being an systems engineer. in 2 decades I have not known a single engineer that has had to take a urine analysis and I know a lot from IEEE meetings and conferences, even when I worked at a systems engineer for the gaming control board there was no UA.

certain industries do require mandatory testing but there are not many of those jobs. they are far more uncommon then they are common in the white color work place. in the blue collar work place they are far more common.

**returnofthdragon** · 06-06-2011, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

what state do you live in? the right to drug test is different in "forced union" states vs. right to work states.

from personal experience I have not had to take a urine analysis since 1987 when I worked at the local Ford dealership moving cars, they had to for insurance reasons.

that sucks that you had to take a drug test being an systems engineer. in 2 decades I have not known a single engineer that has had to take a urine analysis and I know a lot from IEEE meetings and conferences, even when I worked at a systems engineer for the gaming control board there was no UA.

certain industries do require mandatory testing but there are not many of those jobs. they are far more uncommon then they are common in the white color work place. in the blue collar work place they are far more common.

So do you just walk around at conferences asking people about pee tests? It not the kind of information i usually talk about at a conference. From your statement it sounds like you took a poll.

**LAM** · 06-06-2011, 04:52 PM

I am not very PC in that area, i ask people all sorts of questions and they usually tell me the truth. my whole life I have been quite interested in sociology and that must be detected in my speech patterns when I ask people "weird" questions as they never seem to get offended, etc. I guess they know I'm not the type that judges people. when on new construction jobs sites, etc. I have no problems asking people about their marriages, criminal records, etc. when people are sitting around bs'ing on breaks, etc.

I have friends on food-stamps on one end of the spectrum and others in LA buying 50M G-5's. I also have friends in philly that worked for sammy the bull and others that work in the white house.

**maniclion** · 06-06-2011, 08:32 PM

I don't see a problem with this, we want people to get off of welfare as soon as possible and addicts aren't getting help if they can freeload off of the system. I don't see this as being a prevention of people wasting money, rather as motivation to straighten your ass up so you can get help.....

We the tax payers are just enablers if we continue to support addicts. We test for addictive drugs(even alcohol), if they pop we offer them help, if they follow through they get a second chance, if they don't they are banned from welfare for 6 months to a year.....

**irish_2003** · 06-06-2011, 08:54 PM

too bad the ACLU will contest this since so many minorities are on welfare

**LAM** · 06-06-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by irish_2003

too bad the ACLU will contest this since so many minorities are on welfare

not even close....

2009 Below Poverty - Total 43,569

White 29,830
Non-Hispanic 18,530
Black 9,944
Asian & Pacifi Islander 1,746
Hispanic 12,350

* Source US Census 2009 Poverty Report

http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf

**DOMS** · 06-06-2011, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

not even close....

2009 Below Poverty - Total 43,569

White 29,830
Non-Hispanic 18,530
Black 9,944
Asian & Pacifi Islander 1,746
Hispanic 12,350

* Source US Census 2009 Poverty Report

http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf

It's not the absolute number they're going to use. What's the percentage?

**ihateschoolmt** · 06-06-2011, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

what state do you live in? the right to drug test is different in "forced union" states vs. right to work states.

from personal experience I have not had to take a urine analysis since 1987 when I worked at the local Ford dealership moving cars, they had to for insurance reasons.

that sucks that you had to take a drug test being an systems engineer. in 2 decades I have not known a single engineer that has had to take a urine analysis and I know a lot from IEEE meetings and conferences, even when I worked at a systems engineer for the gaming control board there was no UA.

certain industries do require mandatory testing but there are not many of those jobs. they are far more uncommon then they are common in the white color work place. in the blue collar work place they are far more common.

North Carolina, I didn't have to take a UA yet but they can test me if they want to. Although, I do drive a company vehicle to on site calls so that might have something to do with it.

**LAM** · 06-06-2011, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by maniclion

I don't see a problem with this, we want people to get off of welfare as soon as possible and addicts aren't getting help if they can freeload off of the system. I don't see this as being a prevention of people wasting money, rather as motivation to straighten your ass up so you can get help.....

We the tax payers are just enablers if we continue to support addicts. We test for addictive drugs(even alcohol), if they pop we offer them help, if they follow through they get a second chance, if they don't they are banned from welfare for 6 months to a year.....

it's not as big a problem as the far-far-right makes it out to be (shocker)...that's why you have to look at the welfare reform act signed into law by Slick Willy in like '96. they reduced direct payments to the poor drastically, you have to jump through hoops to get TANF now, you have to actively look for work...I know people on it, and others that didn't go on it for that very same reason. you just don't sign up for TANF and get a check in the mail, more GOP far right bullshit...

but even still...why is welfare to the poor any different then welfare for the rich?....tax dollars are tax dollars

How We Ended Welfare, Together - New York Times

**ANIMALHAUS** · 06-07-2011, 07:56 AM

I know places in Philadelphia that have brand new, gorgeous townhomes. Green grass, satellite's on the roofs and the occasional escalade in the driveway... right over the bridge on I-76. GOVERNMENT HOUSING!!! I know hardworking taxpayers that don't have houses anywhere near as nice as places... and you know damn well that these homes are filled with people living off welfare.

You can put the race shit aside because I don't care one bit if you're white or black. This free money shit needs to end.

**ALBOB** · 06-07-2011, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by LAM

the only reason why Rick Scott is doing it is because he owns a drug testing company that is going to be performing the testing. or I should say he "transferred" his share in the company over to his wife...

Please do some research before repeating these lies. It's been proven in dozens of different ways that the drug testing company Rick Scott owns stock in has NO government contracts and in fact hasn't even bid on this contract.

**ALBOB** · 06-07-2011, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by LAM

actually that's not correct at all...not many jobs at all require drug testing just the ones on the lower end of the pay scale like those in transportation (which is a good thing) and retail, etc.

the higher up in wages you go the less drug testing there is.

Really? That's news to me. I sure would like to know where you get your "facts" from.

Immediately after retiring from the Air Force I was hired as the Assistant GM for Las Vegas Roto-Rooter. EVERYONE in the company, from the lowest shit scooper right up to my boss, was drug tested. Currently my wife and I both work for the same company. We're both what Obama would classify as "evil rich people" and we get drug tested all the time.

**Chubby** · 06-07-2011, 08:52 AM

There are opportunists and blood suckers on both sides. People just seem to find it convenient to criticize only one side. People with this kind of mentality never really give a damn about the problem.

**SilentBob187** · 06-07-2011, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by LAM

not even close....

2009 Below Poverty - Total 43,569 Income to poverty ratio Under 1.00 for 2009

White 29,830
---> Non-Hispanic 18,530* is a sub category of White
Black 9,944
Asian & Pacifi Islander 1,746
Hispanic 12,350

* Source US Census 2009 Poverty Report

http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf

The top number isn't the sum of those groups underneath. Even w/ white non-hispanic as a subcategory of white the sum is still ~10k higher than 43,569.

Also this has multiple tiers setup for income to poverty ratio, under 0.5, under 1.00 and under 1.25. What about those under 0.5? Are we to assume that they were also included in the under 1.0?

**Gena Marie** · 06-07-2011, 09:34 AM

sad to say, but I know a few people on government assistance, and yes they all use drugs. It pissed me off. I was once poor, I had to watch every penny I spent. Sure I liked to get high, but I had 2 mouths to feed. I made a choice. My hard earned $ went a lot further feeding and housing my son and I. I put my priories 1st. I have 2 sisters in the system and they bitch about the things they don't have, but sure hit they have their drugs. Like someone else said, ALL states should require this and like someone else said, add community service on top of it. They should be giving back for all they get. Make it less comfortable so maybe they will get off their asses and support themselves. There are some exceptions, but a lot of people are jut plain lazy and entitled. IMO

**Muscle_Girl** · 06-07-2011, 09:52 AM

Drug tests only for illegal substances? IMO, the "legal" drug abuse is becoming more of a problem.

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