State pays back thousands after drug testing struck down

[Baitball Blogger]

– It was one of Gov. Rick Scott's headline-grabbing campaign vows: Welfare recipients would have to pass a drug test to make sure addicts weren't receiving Floridians' tax dollars.

But data now available from the state show that when a federal court temporarily suspended the law, the state had to pay out thousands of dollars to people regardless of whether they even took or passed a drug test.

According to data given to the Sun-Sentinel, the state had to reimburse welfare applicants $113,037 for the cost of the test, regardless of whether they passed it or not. And then, they had to pay out just shy of $595,000 in retroactive benefits to families who were initially denied welfare because they either failed the test or refused to take it.

The state already had the money budgeted though, knowing a court challenge to the law was likely.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-31/news/fl-welfare-drug-testing-reimbursement-20120831_1_welfare-applicants-welfare-recipients-drug-users

[JPK]

1. Felon Rick Scott

Another great use of the states tax dollars. Scott is felon and should be in PRISON.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Thank god, this was reprehensible and criminally self-serving

what with his wife's connections. There should be a further punitive action to dicourage future behavior of this sort from Scott, but at least this is a cautionary tale for those who might still have a conscience.