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Florida Gov. Rick Scott signs law requiring welfare recipients to take drug test, ACLU objects
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/06/01/2011-06-01_florida_gov_rick_scott_signs_law_requiring_welfare_recipients_to_take_drug_test_.html
If Floridians want welfare, they better make sure they are drug-free.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill on Tuesday that requires benefit recipients to undergo drug testing.
Applicants for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program who test positive for illicit substances won't be eligible for the funds for a year, or until they undergo treatment.
Those who fail a second time would be banned from receiving the funds for three years.
"While there are certainly legitimate needs for public assistance, it is unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction," Scott said. "This new law will encourage personal accountability and will help to prevent the misuse of tax dollars."
If welfare candidates pass the drug screening, they'll be reimbursed for the test.
The legislation instantly came under a barrage of criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union and several of the Sunshine State's Democrats. They argued the bill is an invasion of privacy.
Gov. Scott. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
"The wasteful program created by this law subjects Floridians who are impacted by the economic downturn, as well as their families, to a humiliating search of their urine and body fluids without cause or even suspicion of drug abuse," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.
"Searching the bodily fluids of those in need of assistance is a scientifically, fiscally, and constitutionally unsound policy. Today, that unsound policy is Florida law."
The law, which will be enacted July 1, is likely to be challenged. A similar bill was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in Michigan in 2003.
If Floridians want welfare, they better make sure they are drug-free.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill on Tuesday that requires benefit recipients to undergo drug testing.
Applicants for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program who test positive for illicit substances won't be eligible for the funds for a year, or until they undergo treatment.
Those who fail a second time would be banned from receiving the funds for three years.
"While there are certainly legitimate needs for public assistance, it is unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction," Scott said. "This new law will encourage personal accountability and will help to prevent the misuse of tax dollars."
If welfare candidates pass the drug screening, they'll be reimbursed for the test.
The legislation instantly came under a barrage of criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union and several of the Sunshine State's Democrats. They argued the bill is an invasion of privacy.
Gov. Scott. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
"The wasteful program created by this law subjects Floridians who are impacted by the economic downturn, as well as their families, to a humiliating search of their urine and body fluids without cause or even suspicion of drug abuse," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.
"Searching the bodily fluids of those in need of assistance is a scientifically, fiscally, and constitutionally unsound policy. Today, that unsound policy is Florida law."
The law, which will be enacted July 1, is likely to be challenged. A similar bill was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in Michigan in 2003.
Yes I would instead require that anyone who is found to be abusing drugs enter rehabilitation and that their progress be monitored there. There are specific regulations as regards SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and to receive it a person has to have not tested positive as regards drugs for 6 months and have enrolled in a rehab program that can track their progress. I'd be concerned about the impact on families with children, specifically the children themselves.
This is just so misguided. Sorry, but it is. I understand what he thinks he is doing is right, but I can tell you this will not solve the drug problem, and even more importantly will not resolve welfare issues. I can also understand tax payers frustration at paying for this..but it actually costs app. 3X as much (to the state) for someone to live in a shelter then it does for them to be in their own home. Yep, I can back that up with facts. Not even close to a step in the right direction. You are going to see the homeless issue increase dramatically.
Also curious what they constitute as drugs? Is alcohol included? What about cigarettes? Pop? Anything deemed unnecessary by them? Is that the next step? "Sorry, you spent too much on meat this month and not enough on veggies...we are cutting you off"...where will the line be? And how about gambling? That is an addiction. THis opens an awful lot of doors.
I promise you that the drug addicts will not be the victims of this..it will be kids. Chances are also good that you will see crime increase, which by the way, costs significantly more then a welfare cheque does.
Also curious what they constitute as drugs? Is alcohol included? What about cigarettes? Pop? Anything deemed unnecessary by them? Is that the next step? "Sorry, you spent too much on meat this month and not enough on veggies...we are cutting you off"...where will the line be? And how about gambling? That is an addiction. THis opens an awful lot of doors.
I promise you that the drug addicts will not be the victims of this..it will be kids. Chances are also good that you will see crime increase, which by the way, costs significantly more then a welfare cheque does.
Well, once again, I am saying stop taking away our rights.
That said, we need a serious overhall with people collecting from the government.
The system that is in place is a joke. I know so many people that dont want to work full time because it interferes with their life. They are perfectly capable of working, but refuse to take jobs they think are beneath them, and they insist they will not work 40 hours a week, because it would interfere with their enjoying life. I watch as my husband works hard and what do these folks do? They know the ins and outs of how to leech off the uncle sam and they brag about it. They work a minimum of hours, they have government paid heat, medical, and food. They can afford the things like monthly speciality food delivery, vacations, tv that they pay for etc... I spoke to a 30 year old girl from the south and she was bragging about having another baby (her 4th) to keep the checks coming so she doesnt have to work. I told her she was a poor example to her children. She laughed and said all her family has done this, as if its something she was born doing and cant stop. Great system. Its really shameful. I am all for helping people in NEED with our taxes but I am not for supporting the lazy and spoiled. Drug testing is not the issue. If some one is able to work full time and doesnt, thats the issue.
That said, we need a serious overhall with people collecting from the government.
The system that is in place is a joke. I know so many people that dont want to work full time because it interferes with their life. They are perfectly capable of working, but refuse to take jobs they think are beneath them, and they insist they will not work 40 hours a week, because it would interfere with their enjoying life. I watch as my husband works hard and what do these folks do? They know the ins and outs of how to leech off the uncle sam and they brag about it. They work a minimum of hours, they have government paid heat, medical, and food. They can afford the things like monthly speciality food delivery, vacations, tv that they pay for etc... I spoke to a 30 year old girl from the south and she was bragging about having another baby (her 4th) to keep the checks coming so she doesnt have to work. I told her she was a poor example to her children. She laughed and said all her family has done this, as if its something she was born doing and cant stop. Great system. Its really shameful. I am all for helping people in NEED with our taxes but I am not for supporting the lazy and spoiled. Drug testing is not the issue. If some one is able to work full time and doesnt, thats the issue.
I couoldn't agree more. We have exactly the same issues here. The other problem is huge huge fraud. Example...mom claims to be a single mom unable to work. Collects welfare. In the meantime, she is living with her boyfriend and he is supporting her. I can't tell you how often I see this happen. We need to cut down of the fraud big time. We also need to get people back to work. Here you have to send in a card showing you applied for X amount of jobs. But people lie on it all the time, and of course the resources aren't there to check.
Drug testing will only increase costs...heck, just the cost of administering the test alone will increase things. And if they think that many many of these users don't know how to get around the testing? Honestly, this just isn't going to work.
Drug testing will only increase costs...heck, just the cost of administering the test alone will increase things. And if they think that many many of these users don't know how to get around the testing? Honestly, this just isn't going to work.
So how long before crime goes up, homelessness goes up, and the part that gets me is the recipient has to pay for the drug test. Now come on, in order to be able to get benefits you have to be practically dead and now you gotta come up with money for a drug test? I understand what they want to have happen but I seriously think its gonna backfire big time! And if I read it right they have to be clean for a year before getting any kind of assistance. I wonder what old Rick Scott is getting outta this deal! Somethings doesnt feel right with this one. LOL, Florida would like to see this guy run out on a rail! What a loser.
I somewhat understand his thoughts on this, considering you need to pass a drug test to work at almost any job. This welfare is the person's "job", so they would have to stay clean in order to get it. Though I don't think it's going to work well and it's going to cost a lot to even administer the tests. Welfare does need an overhaul, but it needs to be done differently and I don't know how to go about that one. Many people cheat the system and are proud to say that they have done this. A girl at school is on disability, yet she works for a friend under the table doing labor type work on her feet for many hours a day. She's far from being disabled, but her doctor signed off on it for what ever reason.
The fraud in the system ticks me off as well, but you dont throw the baby out with the bathwater either as they say. For starters, the people that work for these angencies need to be held accountable for doing their jobs. Have you ever tried to get a hold of someone that works for say child support? And anyone that has had to take the road trip every few days to get them to update their information and do what they are paid to knows what I am talking about. Its is not the system so much as how the system is or is not being worked. imo
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
Police say a child was starved and left to die.
They say the girl weighed only 13 pounds and investigators have now charged the girl's mother and grandmother with attempted murder.
Lakisha Green and Cassie Green were arrested and the child was taken to Memorial Health.
"They would never really feed her or give her anything to drink. She was really little ... she looked like a skeleton," a family member who didn't want to be identified said.
Neighbors say the mother received disability payments and used the money to buy drugs instead of feeding the child.
"You don't mistreat a child. It is absolutely ridiculous," neighbor Ethel Liddell said.
Other neighbors suspect the family hid the baby. When people would ask how she was doing, neighbors say the family would say she was sick.
"I never saw the baby with them. I never even knew there was a baby down there," neighbor Rasmiyyah Quarterman said.
The Greens were recently arrested even though the child was taken away in January.
Special Victims Sgt. Karen Ryan won't talk about specifics of the case because it is pending litigation, but did explain that all investigations like this take time.
"We have to do medical reviews. We do background investigations in our cases to see how long it's been going on. Of course, we always take the children away and make sure they are getting proper care," Sergeant Ryan said.
The child suffers from a genetic disorder where she cannot communicate, feed herself, or walk and is bed ridden.
Copyright 2011 WTOC. All rights reserved
Police say a child was starved and left to die.
They say the girl weighed only 13 pounds and investigators have now charged the girl's mother and grandmother with attempted murder.
Lakisha Green and Cassie Green were arrested and the child was taken to Memorial Health.
"They would never really feed her or give her anything to drink. She was really little ... she looked like a skeleton," a family member who didn't want to be identified said.
Neighbors say the mother received disability payments and used the money to buy drugs instead of feeding the child.
"You don't mistreat a child. It is absolutely ridiculous," neighbor Ethel Liddell said.
Other neighbors suspect the family hid the baby. When people would ask how she was doing, neighbors say the family would say she was sick.
"I never saw the baby with them. I never even knew there was a baby down there," neighbor Rasmiyyah Quarterman said.
The Greens were recently arrested even though the child was taken away in January.
Special Victims Sgt. Karen Ryan won't talk about specifics of the case because it is pending litigation, but did explain that all investigations like this take time.
"We have to do medical reviews. We do background investigations in our cases to see how long it's been going on. Of course, we always take the children away and make sure they are getting proper care," Sergeant Ryan said.
The child suffers from a genetic disorder where she cannot communicate, feed herself, or walk and is bed ridden.
Copyright 2011 WTOC. All rights reserved
Thats terrible.
To my point, no one checked to see how this child was doing or following up on their caseload. Absolutely horrible.
Neglect is neglect and abuse is abuse. This happens at every economic level of society. What makes me really angry is that obviously there were family members that knew, and didn't turn them in. I don't care how close the relationship was to me...I would be making that phone call immediately. This is horrible.
Drug addiction is a horrible thing, and causes people to act in unfathomable ways.
Speaking to the original topic, I think that Florida is on the right track in trying to do SOMETHING, but I don't think that they've come up with the right answer to the problem.
I applaud their effort to do something about it, as no one else seems to be doing anything (except sitting there and complaining about it), but someone above me said that this would negatively effect the children, and I have to agree with that. Then again, as the above story indicates, some drug addicts will spend EVERY CENT on their DOC to the point where their children starve to death, so I'm just not sure WHAT to do about this.
I'm not certain exactly sure what the answer is, but the fact that Florida has taken this step is a good sign, in my opinion. Hopefully it'll bring to light the fact that it's a problem that needs to be addressed.
This is a difficult topic with no real solution, that I can see anyway. Eliminate drug addiction! There you go... problem solved. ~That was easy~ Seriously, what do you do about this???
Speaking to the original topic, I think that Florida is on the right track in trying to do SOMETHING, but I don't think that they've come up with the right answer to the problem.
I applaud their effort to do something about it, as no one else seems to be doing anything (except sitting there and complaining about it), but someone above me said that this would negatively effect the children, and I have to agree with that. Then again, as the above story indicates, some drug addicts will spend EVERY CENT on their DOC to the point where their children starve to death, so I'm just not sure WHAT to do about this.
I'm not certain exactly sure what the answer is, but the fact that Florida has taken this step is a good sign, in my opinion. Hopefully it'll bring to light the fact that it's a problem that needs to be addressed.
This is a difficult topic with no real solution, that I can see anyway. Eliminate drug addiction! There you go... problem solved. ~That was easy~ Seriously, what do you do about this???
Well, I have some ideas but you will all think I am bonkers. So what else is new..lol. I will tell you what I would do if I were in charge.
First off, I would legalize drugs. Yep, I would. Keeping them illegal does not stop people from using them. What it does do is keep the price high and create a whole bunch of extra crime. Just as not everyone chooses to use or develops an addiction to alcohol, same thing with drugs.
I would then go to work on welfare. I would first target fraud. Not sure exactly how, but it would be first on the block. Then, I would better subsidize daycare so that people that find themselves in a situation where they have to take minimum wage, they can still afford care for their kids. I know lots of single moms who are on welfare and can't get off because for what they make, they cannot afford childcare.
For addicts I would send their rent money directly to their landlord instead of them. Some places do that, and it works. Like I said, for those utlizing the shelter system, the cost is app. 3X as high as keeping them in their own homes.
Just a few things. I have a whole plan though..lol. We just aren't going to eliminate drug addiction just like we won't eliminate any addiction...alcohol, gambling, etc. But to assume that every alcoholic, drug addict, etc. abuses their kids is just not true. Just like the rest of the population with other problems, some do, some don't. Just people with a disease..they are more in need of help then punishment.
First off, I would legalize drugs. Yep, I would. Keeping them illegal does not stop people from using them. What it does do is keep the price high and create a whole bunch of extra crime. Just as not everyone chooses to use or develops an addiction to alcohol, same thing with drugs.
I would then go to work on welfare. I would first target fraud. Not sure exactly how, but it would be first on the block. Then, I would better subsidize daycare so that people that find themselves in a situation where they have to take minimum wage, they can still afford care for their kids. I know lots of single moms who are on welfare and can't get off because for what they make, they cannot afford childcare.
For addicts I would send their rent money directly to their landlord instead of them. Some places do that, and it works. Like I said, for those utlizing the shelter system, the cost is app. 3X as high as keeping them in their own homes.
Just a few things. I have a whole plan though..lol. We just aren't going to eliminate drug addiction just like we won't eliminate any addiction...alcohol, gambling, etc. But to assume that every alcoholic, drug addict, etc. abuses their kids is just not true. Just like the rest of the population with other problems, some do, some don't. Just people with a disease..they are more in need of help then punishment.
Oh goodness, legalize drugs? The way things are now, so many people trust the government to be in charge of everything, and kids will grow up thinking the government says drugs are safe, they must be. I completely disagree with legalizing crime in hopes of stopping it.
Oh goodness, I better just opt out of this one lol
Oh goodness, I better just opt out of this one lol
I'd definitely have to agree to disagree with you on legalizing drugs. They are illegal for a reason because they are unsafe and cause a multitude of problems in regards to health and general well being. Keeping a drug illegal with the prices high helps to deter people from ever using to begin with, which is a good thing. If you have dealt with people who are high or drunk, they aren't fun people to interact with. Any drug will change the way a person thinks since the chemicals in the brain are altered and they can then do things they wouldn't normally do. I do think drug addicts need help and they need tough love. They won't cooperate like a normal person because they aren't thinking correctly, so they need to be pushed. Letting people have free range to drugs and having them legal just seems like a very bad idea.
I actually work with the homeless population for a living. Families living in shelter to those living on the streets eating out of garbage cans. So yes, you could say I have experience with those high and drunk. Daily as a matter of fact. You could say I have a certain level of expertise in that department. Some of the folks I deal with, well their minds are so far gone there is no hope for recovery anymore. All we can do now is help them survive. Others want out and are trying very hard..but it is a slow and difficult process as any addict trying to give it up will tell you.
There are so many valid reasons for legalizing drugs. For starters, arresting users and putting them in jail solves absolutely not a thing. It does however take up much time and resources from our police service. Throwing an addict in jail does not motivate them to try to give it up. We do need to crack down on the dealers..hard. And legalizing it helps put them out of business. That is the primary source of the violence you see..drug wars between rival dealers wind up with many innocents caught in the crossfire. It would take a lot of the steam out of gangs as well.
Legalizing it also helps spread diseases that can be transferred by sharing needles. It allows communities to set up safe places to use where needles can be properly disposed of and clean works are distributed. From a taxpayer standpoint that decreases medical costs, significantly.
Look at alcohol. Look what happened during prohibition. It didn't work. The answer to the drug problem is not in keeping in illegal. I know it's not a popular theory, but there are countries who have done this successfully. Here in Canada, for all intents and purposes, pot is legal. Not officially, but they don't even bother arresting anyone who only has enough for personal use.
The other thing to keep in mind is that legalizing drugs will not increase drug use. Education is the key to preventing young people from starting, not just keeping it illegal. Sorry, it's just not working. But we probably see things from a different perspective. It's all based on personal experience. I know what I see everyday.
Keep in mind though, that in no way shape or form does this have a thing to do with welfare reform. To assume that all welfare recepients are drug users is simply not true. Not even close. Addiction exists at every socio economic level of our society. The difference between an addicted welfare receipient and an addicted CEO is simply poverty, and usually level of education. Other then that it's the same. Child abuse and neglect are also not even close to being restricted to the poor.
There are so many valid reasons for legalizing drugs. For starters, arresting users and putting them in jail solves absolutely not a thing. It does however take up much time and resources from our police service. Throwing an addict in jail does not motivate them to try to give it up. We do need to crack down on the dealers..hard. And legalizing it helps put them out of business. That is the primary source of the violence you see..drug wars between rival dealers wind up with many innocents caught in the crossfire. It would take a lot of the steam out of gangs as well.
Legalizing it also helps spread diseases that can be transferred by sharing needles. It allows communities to set up safe places to use where needles can be properly disposed of and clean works are distributed. From a taxpayer standpoint that decreases medical costs, significantly.
Look at alcohol. Look what happened during prohibition. It didn't work. The answer to the drug problem is not in keeping in illegal. I know it's not a popular theory, but there are countries who have done this successfully. Here in Canada, for all intents and purposes, pot is legal. Not officially, but they don't even bother arresting anyone who only has enough for personal use.
The other thing to keep in mind is that legalizing drugs will not increase drug use. Education is the key to preventing young people from starting, not just keeping it illegal. Sorry, it's just not working. But we probably see things from a different perspective. It's all based on personal experience. I know what I see everyday.
Keep in mind though, that in no way shape or form does this have a thing to do with welfare reform. To assume that all welfare recepients are drug users is simply not true. Not even close. Addiction exists at every socio economic level of our society. The difference between an addicted welfare receipient and an addicted CEO is simply poverty, and usually level of education. Other then that it's the same. Child abuse and neglect are also not even close to being restricted to the poor.
Sorry, meant to say legalizing helps stop the spread of disease. Typo. And also, please no one misunderstand me. It's my perspective and I am not trying to shove it down anyone else's throat. Most of you know that poverty and addiction issues are two subjects I am very passionate about so I can rant a bit. No disrespect intended.
“Neighbors say the mother received disability payments and used the money to buy drugs instead of feeding the child.”
Legalizing drugs is not the answer. Maybe drug testing is.
Legalizing drugs is not the answer. Maybe drug testing is.
This is what gets me with alcohol and tobacco,both are bad for our health,tobacco is a known carcinogen,it contains poisons as well yet it is legal,
Why? because governments around the world get huge taxes from these substances.
I don't know about legalising illegal drugs,but I don't understand the hypocrisy of governments.
Why? because governments around the world get huge taxes from these substances.
I don't know about legalising illegal drugs,but I don't understand the hypocrisy of governments.
You said: "I wonder what old Rick Scott is getting outta this deal!".
Anything Rick Scott is involved in must be "shady" at best......Anyone who could spend $75 million of their own $ to become governor, is only looking for power. You can rest assured that he (or his wife, since he transferred a lot of his assets to her) probably owns a good share of the testing labs that these people would be sent to....... so the labs stand to make "huge" profits because of this law...... just a thought in my "untrusting" mind, because I believe him to be the biggest "scum hopper" the State of FL has seen in a long time. He will make millions from this law.
I don't think welfare recipients should be allowed to use tax $ for drugs and while I do think drug screening might be appropriate, there has to be better ways to handle it, so the children won't suffer.
If the parents test positive for drugs, what about "child advocates" to insure the children get the care they need, but parents can't use the $ for their own benefit?
Sorry, adgal, I'm totally against legalizing drugs in order to "solve" this issue; those that are using drugs will continue, whether or not they are legal; the fact that many drugs are illegal may serve as a deterrent to those who really need help and want to keep their children.........
Anything Rick Scott is involved in must be "shady" at best......Anyone who could spend $75 million of their own $ to become governor, is only looking for power. You can rest assured that he (or his wife, since he transferred a lot of his assets to her) probably owns a good share of the testing labs that these people would be sent to....... so the labs stand to make "huge" profits because of this law...... just a thought in my "untrusting" mind, because I believe him to be the biggest "scum hopper" the State of FL has seen in a long time. He will make millions from this law.
I don't think welfare recipients should be allowed to use tax $ for drugs and while I do think drug screening might be appropriate, there has to be better ways to handle it, so the children won't suffer.
If the parents test positive for drugs, what about "child advocates" to insure the children get the care they need, but parents can't use the $ for their own benefit?
Sorry, adgal, I'm totally against legalizing drugs in order to "solve" this issue; those that are using drugs will continue, whether or not they are legal; the fact that many drugs are illegal may serve as a deterrent to those who really need help and want to keep their children.........
I think most people don't see it the same way I do. As always I am good with that..but you gotta admit...I make a pretty good argument...lol. LIke I said, I think much depends on your experiences and when you are immersed in this it's different. In my mind the only people benefitting from keeping it illegal are the dealers. And as far as I am concerned they are in the same catagory as pedophiles. Hate them that much. The users I see as sick people in need of help, not punishment. So as much as probably everyone disagrees with me, I have to stand my ground here. I just don't see keeping it illegal as a deterrent.
Most people I run into would like to have him run out of town on a rail.. No pun intended since he refused the money for same. LOL, Oh that was good!
He was interviewed this morning and that question was put to him about how he or his wife would profit. He would only say that those businesses are up for sale and in a few weeks his name will be clear of it. LOL, Now does no one else remember that this guy is one of the biggest cheaters of medicare and medicaid fraud in Florida and they voted the scoundral in anyway? Oh mercy me!!! It is almost too much! I cannot wait to see what his next brite idea is.....I may be heading north sooner rather than later with loons like this on the loose. How da hale ya doing woman? Glad to c ya back!!
He was interviewed this morning and that question was put to him about how he or his wife would profit. He would only say that those businesses are up for sale and in a few weeks his name will be clear of it. LOL, Now does no one else remember that this guy is one of the biggest cheaters of medicare and medicaid fraud in Florida and they voted the scoundral in anyway? Oh mercy me!!! It is almost too much! I cannot wait to see what his next brite idea is.....I may be heading north sooner rather than later with loons like this on the loose. How da hale ya doing woman? Glad to c ya back!!
Okay, his businesses are up for sale...... profit.... I'm thinkin' so........ Scum hoppers like him always come out on top....
Yep, biggest cheaters of medicare and medicaid that ever walked...... I am proud to say "I didn't vote for him"............
I'm doing okay........ life just took over for a bit........... thanks for the warm welcome.
Yep, biggest cheaters of medicare and medicaid that ever walked...... I am proud to say "I didn't vote for him"............
I'm doing okay........ life just took over for a bit........... thanks for the warm welcome.
Since passing this law, Rick Scotts Drug screening businesses will be much more profitable, so he can now sell them at a much higher price. Oh Yes he WILL profit from this law!
Pink Slip Rick!!!
Pink Slip Rick!!!
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