Today in North Carolina: Drug testing for welfare

[babylonsister]

"Lawmakers" first!


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/09/17673293-today-in-north-carolina-drug-testing-for-welfare?lite

Today in North Carolina: Drug testing for welfare
By Laura Conaway

Tue Apr 9, 2013 1:45 PM EDT


From WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina, this report on debate for a bill to require welfare applicants to pass a drug test:

Tempers flared after Bill Rowe with the N.C. Justice Center told lawmakers similar legislation in Florida and Michigan has been struck down by courts as unconstitutional.

"Our Fourth Amendment doesn't allow suspicion-less testing of people," Rowe said. "There's no decision that says this is OK."

Rowe also cited studies that show drug use is no more common among TANF recipients than in the general public.

Sen. Tommy Tucker, R-Union, argued with Rowe.

"You're OK with (drug users) getting federal dollars if they've had a doobie and get the munchies and need more food stamps?" Tucker asked. "Sit down."

The Senate committee voted to advance the bill. The plan is for welfare applicants in North Carolina to foot the $100 or more for the testing upfront, then get reimbursed if they passed. WRAL says no one could say where the money for reimbursements would come from.

[immoderate]

1. I would bet the bill will be bounced by the courts.

It is an evil bill.

--imm

[monmouth3]

2. Idiots, truly...n/t

[FLyellowdog]

3. Didn't work out so well for FL

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/florida-didnt-save-money-by-drug-testing-welfare-recipients-data-shows/1225721

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. If this are mandatory, suspicionless drug tests, they violate the Fourth Amendment.

But after getting shot down in the federal courts, some state legislators are getting a bit smarter. They are introducing bills that call for drug testing with "probable cause" or "reasonable suspicion." Those may pass muster.

[spanone]

5. these republican politicians are seriously fucked-up assholes.

[Johonny]

7. +1

[L0oniX]

6. That will fail ...as it did in Florida. Stupid assholes!

[fredzachmane]

8. Its not drug testing

Its a criminal background check for outstanding warrants or other active violations

[pinboy3niner]

9. That's a different bill--a House bill separate from the Senate drug test bill

The background check bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate; separately, a Senate committee voted to advance the Senate drug test bill.

Here's a story from a couple of days ago about the two bills:

Bills target welfare recipients
http://www.robesonian.com/view/full_story/22204444/article-Bills-target-welfare-recipients?instance=popular

The OP (and OP link) are about the Senate bill. The story below is about passage of the House background check bill:

Background checks for welfare passes NC House
http://www.wral.com/background-checks-for-welfare-passes-nc-house/12332165/

And here's a link to the text of the Senate bill, "AN ACT to require drug screening for applicants for and recipients of work first program assistance":

http://ncleg.net/Sessions/2013/Bills/Senate/HTML/S594v2.html

[fredzachmane]

10. wow...wtf

[octoberlib]

11. There's a new piece of crap legislation being introduced

every day by these fools. Unbelievable!

[Rex]

12. Yeah that is what it is all about senator, getting a doobie and the munchies.

How do piece of crap humans like Tommy Tucker get the jobs they find themselves in? I for one am shocked that they do not just wander out into traffic. Racist scumbags.