drug tests for welfare recipients?

http://able2know.org/topic/172899-1

http://able2know.org/topic/186479-1

http://able2know.org/topic/188231-1

$45k per recipient per year? What are they doing, flying each and every one of them to the Mayo Clinic for each test?

It is my contention that they give much more money to the rich than to the poor. But nobody ever insists they prove they deserve it. Yet, the poor are expected to to be Ward and June Cleaver, as in Leave it to Beaver, to qualify.

Assuming Florida gives out weekly welfare checks, that is about $865/test, which does seem outlandish to me too. I'll research it more.

Quick Fact: As of May 16, 2012, at least 28 states put forth proposals in 2012 to require drug testing or screening for public assistance applicants or recipients.
Three states passed legislation in 2011 and four states have passed legislation in 2012, bringing the total number of states to seven. In 2012, Utah passed legislation requiring applicants to complete a written questionnaire screening for drug use and Georgia passed legislation requiring drug tests for all applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Tennessee approved a bill to require substance abuse testing for all applicants and Oklahoma passed a measure requiring all applicants for TANF to be screened for illegal drug use.

Map of 2012 State Legislative Proposals:

I read it wrong. The number was that the WHOLE program would cost Florida $45k/week more when comparing the likely savings in welfare payments drug users to the costs of the drug tests. This article explains it:

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/906170/florida_data_shows_welfare_drug_tests_cost_more_taxpayer_money%2C_not_less/

Do, please. Even in the northern "pork chop counties", the can't be that dumb.

Follow the money. Chances are someone in the legislative process (or a large financial contributor) owns the drug testing labs.

I hope the federal government makes investment bankers pee in those cups before giving them their next bailout. Fair is fair.

that's what was determined on the other two threads where this was discussed (I thought you were one of the people who found the info).

Yes, in the case of FL. I was speaking in a general sense re other states who have passed or are considering similar legislation. I didn't go back to the other threads - my web surfing/linking is limited at the moment - was one of them the ALEC laws thread?

Hello Friends,

Florida law now requires all aid applicants to be drug tested while Arizona and Missouri require testing for anyone they "reasonably" suspect of illegal drug use.
Other ways welfare rules may change:
•At least 10 states are considering bills that would require photo identification for food stamps or electronic benefit cards.
•At least two states — Ohio and Tennessee — are considering restricting or eliminating eligibility for those convicted of drug felonies.
•At least two states —North Carolina and New Jersey— are considering requiring people to perform community service to receive government help.

Thanks and Regards
Steve Drew

The only problem with your use of the "Jim Crow 2.0" is this. Most people on public assistance are white people and not minorities. If you think it is Jim Crow 2.0 then you must think that a majority of people on public assistance are indeed minorities. A little racist don't ya think?