Florida Gov. Rick Scott is defending recent legislation that requires adults in the state 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 said on CNN 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 disagrees. It has already filed suit against Scott over a measure requiring government employees to undergo random drug testing. It says it 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.
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Amen to that!!! Finally someone is thinking. The rest of the states should follow Gov. Rick Scott decision and is a smart one. Let’s all make a difference. That’s the AMERICA WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ACLU is saying they are not druggies.. then they should be happy about the tests to prover their point. Otherwise maybe they are a bunch of drug addicts. Testing will let us all kmow including the dreaded ACLU....
hey Dick Scott next time you gonna make a mandatory law for drug testing for welfare recipients make sure Lap Corp has enough cups to drug test people smfh
Well, Florida, looks like your attempt to put those awful poor people in their place is costing you a whole lot more money than the money 'saved' by denying welfare. Aren't you proud you supported more government spending?
Just another GOP manufactured indignation fizzle-out.
Now they can get rid of their welfare druggies. They will leave and go to a state that codles them. Calif. is good for that. Years back many found out Calif gave more money and lots moved there. All states should do it. We have to to get a job.
Wow...It's about time! No freebies to freeloading druggies...
Maybe I missed this, but does this also mandate having random drug tests while on welfare? It's easy to clean up for a test you know is going to happen, so you need to do it while on welfare also.
awesome – go Gov. Scott!! – finally someone is standing-up for the taxpayers- i'd like to see illinois implement the same thing! but don't tell me, i know, FAT CHANCE of that happening here anytime, but a girl can dream. hahaha
the thing is you are all bleek minded individuals with no life, the issue here is that its not suppose to steriotype the poor but its a p;olicy to stick it to the illegal drug users, i believe the drug policy should be changed, but untill then we should keep fighting small batlles to win the war and let me tell you this is a small victory for us
I work for the local county and we have random drug testing. I have been tested 3 times over the years and it has never bothered me. I think you should be tested eveytime you come in to pick up your wellfair check. It would be expensive at first but look at all the money we would save in the long run. If people complain they must have something to hide.
Larry ur so ignorgrant they dont pick up welfare checks it goes on a card dick head whats next drug testing kids to be on medicard
You go Rick Scott ! Finally somebody with stones & common sense ! I worked for a company that drug tested and didn't mind a bit. Of course, I wasn't guilty of anything ?????? That always bothers me when I hear these whiners yell about their "privacy". If so many people weren't breaking the law, then we all wouldn't have to worry about our privacy, eh ?
If u have to drug test to get a job or have random drug testing to keep a job, then why all the fuss. y r the working people getting picked on. they should have started the drug testing for welfare a long time ago no one is picking on anyone except the people who pay taxes and support the generations of welfare
I have been saying for years that since I have the possibility of being randomly screened for illegal substances to keep my job then the people sitting at home while my tax dollars pay for them to live should be as well. For that matter think of the jobs that could be created for people to randomly screen public assistance recipients. To be screened just to receive benefits is a waste of time. Someone showing up at the door to randomly test might make people realize that "nobody rides for free" anymore.
KELLI, sounds to me like you have something to hide and are scared of losing your welfare. and it is MEDICAID not medicard. there is no reason that taxpayers should have to support druggies. most welfare recipients' family members in their home is probably making bank selling drugs.
How about ALL the hard working American citizens suing the ACLU and others who are trying to force us to pay for illegal drug and dope habits for those who are to lazy to work? What happened to our rights? What law say's we are required to support illegal habits, AND those who are to lazy to work? I believe it's time we filed a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT against the ACLU to protect our rights, and our income we work so hard for!
I have been drug tested for thirty years to keep my job, its about time. I get it that there are people out there that need support to house and feed their families, but I refuse to use my hard earned money to support a drug habit. If I were on Medicaid and I had nothing to hide I would gladly be tested, as I am now, to keep my job. The only people who will cry privacy are the Medicaid recipents with a drug problem. I hope all states will follow, especially NY and NJ, what a mess!
I have to agree with most of the comments. There is no reason why people should not have to be drug tested in order to get government aid. It is not an invasion of privacy or against the bill of rights because you are volunteering for it, just like a job. According to an article written by Fred Lucas Obamam spent over $888 billion in the 2010 fiscal year just on government aid. This is more than was spent in the first year fighting the Iraq war in 2003. I think our troops should get more help than people who are abusing "the system." If there is nothing to hide than people should not have a problem being tested.
To drug test or not to drug test? That is the question, isn't it? I do not reside in Florida but feel very strongly about this topic. It is my opinion that if we as working class citizens have to be drug tested to have a job then why shouldn't welfare recipients have to be drug tested to get free aid? Some people have commented that Florida is not saving money by drug testing, that it is costing them more money to do so. I beg you to do your research. I am currently writing a research paper on this subject and would like to share a small bit of facts with you."According to the Sunshine News, in July, out of the 5964 Floridians who applied for cash assistance, 574 applicants tested positive and were denied any kind of aid and 565 never took the drug test. (Derby) In dollar language what this means is that when you take the 574 applicants who tested positive and deny them aid, Florida is saving almost $923,000. Florida spent less than $162,000 in reimbursements for negative results. This gives them a total of $761,000 savings roughly to date. (Derby) These numbers tell a different story. Florida has offered counseling services to those who fail the test and will allow someone else to receive the benefits on behalf of any children involved. Maybe some of these people who have turned to drugs could use this to their advantage and get the help they so desperately need. Just a thought!
Thank goodness! Finally! I support this action 100% and would like to see MORE restrictions on welfare. How about people who receive any type of government assistance do not get taxes back! They should be asked to contribute at least to their own program.