Drug Testing for TANF

#1
rjd970

rjd970

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#1
Florida governor signs welfare drug-screen measure - CNN.com

Agree 100% with this.

IMO, it's sad when state lawmakers say things like this:

Shortly after the bill was signed, five Democrats from the state's congressional delegation issued a joint statement attacking the legislation, one calling it "downright unconstitutional."

"Governor Scott's new drug testing law is not only an affront to families in need and detrimental to our nation's ongoing economic recovery, it is downright unconstitutional," said Rep. Alcee Hastings. "If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of TANF benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?"
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Sure, why not? If aid is being taken from the system, and you aren't working, it seems reasonable to me that you shouldn't be sitting around getting high and spending money on drugs. It is the taxpayer's money, they should have a sayso in who gets it.

Also, would love for somebody to point out where this is "downright unconstitutional".
 
#2
#2
it would be very interesting to see the results of this. i bet it never happens though.
 
#3
#3
Does anybody have numbers on how much this costs? My guess is more than it saves, and it will be easily bypassed anyways.
 
#4
#4
rjd970 said:
Florida governor signs welfare drug-screen measure - CNN.com

Agree 100% with this.

IMO, it's sad when state lawmakers say things like this:

Sure, why not? If aid is being taken from the system, and you aren't working, it seems reasonable to me that you shouldn't be sitting around getting high and spending money on drugs. It is the taxpayer's money, they should have a sayso in who gets it.

Also, would love for somebody to point out where this is "downright unconstitutional".
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I'm fine with this law if it means they can still be alcoholics and abuse tobacco.

Or maybe they can do hard drugs which are out of your system in no time.
 
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#5
#5
a big cost i'd imagine, but it wouldn't take too many people off the yearly roll to make up the money and then some.
 
#6
#6
a whiz quiz is pretty cheap and the article addressed the cost

Aren't many federal employees subject to drug screenings? What's the difference then (besides the obvious that one is working for their money)?
 
#7
#7
Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children.
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I'll take their drug test, as long as I keep half of the benefits.
 
#8
#8
Even if it has a net cost associated with it, this would be some "waste" I am fine with. We already waste money on things that make far less sense.
 
#9
#9
rjd970 said:
Even if it has a net cost associated with it, this would be some "waste" I am fine with. We already waste money on things that make far less sense.
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So you honestly think this is wasteful, but it's fine because it's "not as wasteful" as some other policies? Or am I reading that wrong?
 
#10
#10
utvolpj said:
a whiz quiz is pretty cheap and the article addressed the cost

Aren't many federal employees subject to drug screenings? What's the difference then (besides the obvious that one is working for their money)?
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Some people have a career from drawing a check. This should have been implemented a long time ago.
 
#11
#11
nbakerld said:
So you honestly think this is wasteful, but it's fine because it's "not as wasteful" as some other policies? Or am I reading that wrong?
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You're reading it wrong. I said IF it results in a net cost increase to the program, then spending money on drug testing for welfare makes more sense then some of the other stupid things we fund.

If it is going to cost money, make it budget neutral by cutting something like NEA funding to offset the cost. The cost to do this shouldn't be an argument against it.
 
#12
#12
bam15 said:
Some people have a career from drawing a check. This should have been implemented a long time ago.
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that's just unpossible since I was assured that 5yrs is the max

and while they're at it they should just cut off completely any single person with no dependents that is mentally/physically able to work.
 
#14
#14
utvolpj said:
that's just unpossible since I was assured that 5yrs is the max

and while they're at it they should just cut off completely any single person with no dependents that is mentally/physically able to work.
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I have a single friend who is Schizo and he gets food stamps and unemployment. I know him cause when I was a student we worked for a landscape company (under the table). This guy's Dad bought him a car. He gets government money, and pulls in a decent wage, and has almost no expenses (splits rent with GF). Guess what he spends his money on? Alcohol and meth.

He's legitimately crazy, but the assistance he gets from government and family just subsidizes his drug habits. It's enabled him. It's such a waste, cause he's bright.
 
#15
#15
So what about their kids. When we withdraw their welfare because they are on drugs, and they can't feed their own kids? From the article, they dictate another recipient essentially bypassing the need for it all together. You know what, I say go for it, if nothing else so we have a case study.
 
#16
#16
Weezy said:
So what about their kids. When we withdraw their welfare because they are on drugs, and they can't feed their own kids? From the article, they dictate another recipient essentially bypassing the need for it all together. You know what, I say go for it, if nothing else so we have a case study.
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What about the kids they brought into the world yet can't support? If they have money for drugs then they should have money for food, clothes and shelter right?
 
#17
#17
Weezy said:
So what about their kids. When we withdraw their welfare because they are on drugs, and they can't feed their own kids? From the article, they dictate another recipient essentially bypassing the need for it all together. You know what, I say go for it, if nothing else so we have a case study.
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you think they are spending that money on the kids anyway?
 
#19
#19
I just don't like kids not standing a chance because their parents are ****. The problem needs to be fixed starting with the youth. Do I think gov't can do that, no. It's a parents, culture, and community issue. But if the kids are starving, and the Foster homes are overcrowded, that just another impossible roadblock for most of them. I agree with the idea of drug users not recieving welfare, and I'm willing to see the results.

And I don't think all the money goes to where it should be going, but food stamps do. It might not be perfect, but they aren't buying drugs with food stamps.
 
#21
#21
Weezy said:
I just don't like kids not standing a chance because their parents are ****. The problem needs to be fixed starting with the youth. Do I think gov't can do that, no. It's a parents, culture, and community issue. But if the kids are starving, and the Foster homes are overcrowded, that just another impossible roadblock for most of them. I agree with the idea of drug users not recieving welfare, and I'm willing to see the results.

And I don't think all the money goes to where it should be going, but food stamps do. It might not be perfect, but they aren't buying drugs with food stamps.
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So you don't think there is a black market with food stamps?
 
#22
#22
Based off my time in the supermarket, there's a WIC card. How it could be used otherwise is beyond me.
 
#25
#25
droski said:
not sure about your area, but here in california they don't check ID when you use it.
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So people trade drugs for WIC cards. The imagery is almost worth it. I wonder if the dealer has a quota limit on Cheerios per month.
 
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