Georgia Senate OKs drug tests for welfare applicants

[Little Tich]

Source: Chicago Tribune / Reuters

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Adults applying for welfare in Georgia would have to pass a drug test before receiving benefits under a bill approved by the state Senate late on Wednesday.

The legislation, called the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act, is designed to ensure that welfare payments, called Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, are "not diverted to illicit drug use."

The legislation, which now goes to the Georgia House, would not affect welfare payments to children. Under the bill, if a parent failed a drug test, children could still receive payments through another person designated by the state.

Two states, Michigan and Florida, have adopted similar legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Michigan Court of Appeals in 2003 ruled that state's law unconstitutional. Florida's law has been temporarily blocked by a federal lawsuit.



Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-georgia-drugtestsbre82710f-20120308,0,6769728.story

[Ziggystrange]

1. This is not only vile but sure to cost them a lot of money and create problems

Republicans are pushing beyond the limit of reason.
People are going to freak out, and act out.

[Auntie Bush]

15. My sentiments exactly.

Who's going to pay for all those tests? This is one stupid idea...typical ReThuglican!
Let's hope they over reach soooo far...the they will get votd out of office all over America. I hate to think what this country would look like under ReThug rule.

[alp227]

23. Psst...hide your snowman avatar before your state asks you for a drug test!

that's because "snowman" is street slang for crack dealer.

and do keep in mind that drug tests for welfare in Florida turned out to be a profit opportunity for this company where Gov. Scott sat on the board of directors.

[Auntie Bush]

26. Thanks for the info...I didn't know that. Don't want them knocking on my door.

Maybe that's why so many big old planes buzz my property. lol

[appleannie1]

2. So they will spend millions to find out poor people can't afford drugs. Fiscally Conservative.

[Chakaconcarne]

3. Which Republican...

owns or has interest in the labs that will be doing the testing?

[unionworks]

14. you nailed it!

Sounds like an investigation waiting to happen.

[aquart]

19. That was my first question.

In Florida, isn't it the governor's wife?

[Demeter]

4. Right after the Legislature is tested

Can you say lawsuit? They tried that in Michigan and had their heads handed to them. Deservedly.

[Dustlawyer]

10. Hypocrites, that would be my "one word" to describe them.

In the full article he says it's the compassionate thing to do." no, the compassionate thing would then be drug treatment and therapy. The poor lead a very hard life that takes a toll in many ways. It's easy to talk about crime and drug use blah blah blah, but not so easy when it's their teenage son or daughter, or wait for it, when they are the ones doing it too!

[Land Shark]

5. Call it the Guarantee Permanent Crime Act of 2012

Many of those who feel they can't pass the test are forced into a life of crime, or of more crime. Genius?

[asfghjkyu]

6. Spam deleted by uppityperson (MIR Team)

[think]

7. The alcohol industry must be very happy with this news....nt

[tridim]

11. And the makers of Oxycontin.

Talk about a gateway.

[izquierdista]

8. I don't know what's worse

The stupid fuckers who think this shit up, or the stupid fuckers who CAN'T think it up and have to copy it from neighboring states.

[Thinkingabout]

9. It is time to test these people putting these laws into action.

[Auntie Bush]

17. +100

[Ken Burch]

12. IT's jest fine to be on welfare and cook up some ol' "White Lightning", of course.

[Ken Burch]

13. Any chance this might FINALLY swing white Georgia voters AWAY from the 'Pugs?

At some point, you'd think even folks like that would see this is insane.

[and-justice-for-all]

16. That should include ALL POLITICIANS too!!

Both take government assistance (meaning tax dollars pays their salaries)

[CountAllVotes]

18. add RUSH LIMPBALLS TO THE LIST

Please!

[Grassy Knoll]

20. Unemployed Republicons will be exempt......

Everybody knows who they will target, This is the most racist bill
that attacks minorities, These fuck heads are sore they lost the civil war
and a "Black Man" is Successfully bringing hate to a standstill, this is exactly
why Rush and fox news hate him, he's righting a wrong. He's proving them wrong
and the righty uptightys just hate that fact.

[AllyCat]

21. Because this was SOOO cost effective in Florida!

[Beartracks]

22. Cool! Will this apply to oil company subisdies, too?

'Cause corporations consume everything, too, like a bad case of the munchies.

========================

[They_Live]

25. Thank you

any business receiving Government subsidies should be tested. Background checks too.


I'm not holding my breath.

[sarcasmo]

24. Drug test the politicians and check their bank accounts for anomalies.

[jmowreader]

27. These bills' purpose is twofold

Their first and most obvious purpose is to humiliate further the people who have to apply for TANF.

The second, and more important, purpose is to mask the fact the Republican legislatures have no interest in doing anything that would actually work to create jobs, nor do they have any idea in the world of how to do it. They'll tax cut and spending cut all day long (neglecting the simple fact that the quickest and surest way for a government to create jobs is to walk into a private-sector business with a sack of cash and order something that company can't produce with the number of workers it has) but as far as creating jobs? They don't want to, can't, and won't.