Bill to drug test welfare recipients clears Senate panel

Posted to: News Politics Virginia
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By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 4, 2012

RICHMOND

Protests from Democrats weren’t enough Friday to derail Senate legislation to allow drug testing of welfare recipients.

On an 8-7 party-line vote, Republicans on the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee advanced a bill that would require local social service agencies to screen Virginians on welfare for illegal narcotics.

Screenings would be done during an initial welfare assessment and periodically after that, though not more frequently than every six months.

People who refuse to comply or fail a drug test would lose Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits for one year unless they enter a drug treatment program.

Under the bill from Sen. Steve Martin, R-Chesterfield County, others in the household of the person who tested positive for drugs could still receive benefits.

His bill, SB 6, incorporates similar legislation from Virginia Beach Republican Sen. Jeff McWaters, and it also would grant people one chance to regain benefits if they meet the testing or treatment requirements.

Martin said the goal of the bill is consistent with Virginia’s philosophy to move people from welfare to work by reducing barriers to employment such as drug use.

But Democrats on the panel said it singles out poor people for scrutiny that others receiving state dollars – from college students getting tuition grants to corporate officials whose companies receive tax breaks – don’t face.

They also noted that a federal judge has issued an injunction against a similar law in Florida.

Pointing out that testing costs would exceed $2.7 million over the next two years, Sen. Mark Herring questioned whether that money could be better spent on drug treatment programs.

“It really appears to be targeted at participants in this particular program rather than something that is really designed to address substance abuse problems,” said Herring, D-Loudoun County.

The drug-testing legislation has been sent the Senate Finance Committee because it has a fiscal impact, just as companion legislation in the House of Delegates has been routed to the Appropriations Committee.

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It would save more to legalize drugs

Submitted by Chris33 on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 4:28 pm.

It would save the country billions of dollars if we would legalize drugs. The Swiss did it, and they don't have to pay $40,000 a year to feed and house drug prisoners. It would also take money away from criminal gangs and terrorists.

The Swiss have not legalized

Submitted by surfvb on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 6:51 pm.

The Swiss have not legalized drugs. Their drug laws mirror most of the European nations' drug laws.

Does this mean that the wealthy will be subject to this next?

Submitted by Monica Copacabana on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 2:36 pm.

Does this mean that the wealthy won't be allowed to enjoy a 14% or less tax rate unless they undergo drug testing....and if they test positive, they have to forgo their loopholes and pay the same tax rate as middle income Americans? Is it time for us to apply the same rules to the wealthy and well-connected who have the money to elect whoever they choose to "represent" us.

WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?!?!?!?!

Submitted by jimmyf on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 12:58 pm.

Funny that people decry we're going to be harming children if we drug test their parents, so I guess they're okay with the idea that someone can be a good, responsible parent while also using illegal drugs-as long as they are getting a check.

NEWS FLASH If a welfare recipient is on drugs, the money they use to buy drugs doesn't help their own kids.

Since the "War on Poverty" began, we have spend trillions on welfare programs that have only made the custodial class more dependent than ever-I think we'd be doing them a favor by forcing them to either get the help they need or lose their benefits.

Those of us PAYING the bills have every right to DEMAND accountability from those we are FORCED to support.

Helping children

Submitted by Chris33 on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 4:24 pm.

Since the war on poverty began, the crime rate has dropped in half. Helping the children of poor people helps all of us. You should be ashamed of joining the Republican Party's War on the Poor.

I have nothing to be ashamed of....

Submitted by jimmyf on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 7:22 pm.

You're right-we Republican are at war with the poor-you've no idea how hard it is to get them to take an entry level job where they can work towards a goal. You have no idea how hard it is to get a person to stop using drugs long enough to PASS a drug test so they CAN get a job-many would simply prefer to stay home, on the pipe, producing more mouths to feed and wait for the money to be loaded on their EBT card-it's been so successful turning millions into government dependents, living their days on, as Star Jones titled a book called, "Uncle Sam's Plantation."

Crime down? Oh, Please.

The welfare state & drug culture has turned once-thriving neighborhoods into battlefields littered with the bodies of young men and women.

Such a success.

There you go again.

Submitted by rickyd24750 on Sat, 02/04/2012 at 6:19 pm.

You always come up with some number to support you communist beliefs. From what source did you find that the crime rate has dropped in half since the war on poverty began? Let me guess, cnn...nbc...abc...msnbc...huffington post. I know you won't respond with your source because either you are embarassed to say who it is or you just made it up. By the way do you even know when the war on poverty started? I don't either but I know when the war on America started. Every time a democrat took office. As far as you telling someone they should be ashamed of joining the Rep. party's war on the poor I say the only thing us Republicans have to be ashamed of are americans like you who hate this country and the greatness of it. Go away. Leave us be.