Scott Walker wants jobless, food stamp recipients to face drug tests

[hue]

Source: THE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin could have one of the nation’s most sweeping drug-testing requirements for those receiving public benefits if the proposal by Gov. Scott Walker to test those who apply for unemployment checks and food stamps becomes law.

But with scant details, it’s unclear whether any expansion beyond the current testing of drug felons would be allowed under federal law governing the state’s FoodShare program. It’s also unclear how Wisconsin could craft any broad-based testing program for public benefits recipients that would be found constitutional.

The newly re-elected governor and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, both say a top priority of the upcoming legislative session is to require that recipients receiving food assistance and unemployment compensation be drug free to qualify for benefits.

In Wisconsin, an estimated 836,000 people receive FoodShare benefits, about 40 percent of them children, according to the state Department of Health Services. As of last week, 39,958 people had filed weekly unemployment compensation claims, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

As part of his re-election campaign platform, Walker vowed to require “a drug test for those requesting unemployment and able-bodied, working-age adults requesting food stamps from the state.” But no further details, including the cost and scope of the proposal, were available last week from the Walker administration.




Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/scott-walker-wants-jobless-food-stamp-recipients-to-face-drug/article_d8f8fcb4-c6ec-5deb-af86-668209d69aff.html

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[geomon666]

1. They tried that shit here in FL.

At best it's a waste of money. Of course I'm sure Gov. Walker will see that a friend of his who owns or operates a drug testing facility will get the contract for this from the city. So it's not really a waste of money...for him.

[AleksS]

16. Yup.

Yup, not only did Ricky get to send money his wife's way*, and Scott "Cronyism is Awesome!" Walker will get to send some more public money to his buddies, but now Walker knows voters won't even bat an eyelash at wasting taxpayer money as long it's wasted on belittling the poor. Ricky got reelected, and I really don't know what it would take for this state to vote Walker out either.

*Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the drug testing company he used a company his wife owned?

[geomon666]

69. Scott owned an urgent care chain.

When he became governor, he put all of his interest in the company into a trust for his wife.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/gov-rick-scotts-drug-testing-policy-stirs-suspicio/nLq8f/

[FogerRox]

35. Yup, and a court struck the law down.

[mountain grammy]

40. Yes, exactly!

[Brigid]

64. Walker doesn't care.

He's trying to impress . . . Somebody. No idea who.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Of course he does.

But didn't they try that in Florida, only to discover that only a tiny fraction of welfare recipients tested positive and that it cost the state way more than the amount of the funds paid to those people?

Doesn't matter. GOPers are always looking for a way to make the poorest even more ashamed of being poor.

[DBoon]

36. The point isn't to find druggies

The point is to humiliate people receiving assistance by having the government require them to pee in a cup, to analyze their bodily fluids ensuring their personal habits meet the approval of the government.

BTW, unemployment is an insurance program not welfare. This is abusing the unemployed who have paid into the program while working, and who have a right to it benefits when not.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

42. Exactly. Punish and humiliate them for being poor.

And GOPers like Scott Wanker are the same people who complain that "the government" is too intrusive.

[Danmel]

45. that is exactly what they want to do

Humiliate people. My husband lost his job in August. He has had one 1 interview for a consulting job with no benefits, vacation time. He has 30 years of experience as an engineer. Nothing. And these fuckers want to drug test him? Why, other than to pile on. Fuckers can kiss my ass.

[Scarsdale]

44. D.C.

Since we taxpayers are paying the wages, pensions and healthcare costs for those politicians in DC, I would like a law that THEY have to pass drug and alcohol tests. They make laws for the rest of us to live by, why not them? Boehner carries a cup everywere he goes, and I doubt it has coffee in it. Bachmann is so wild, she HAS to be on something. Ryan is wild eyed constantly. Ms. Lindsey Graham is so weird some substance has to be involved. From the way they act like 12 year olds, either most of them are senile or afflicted with dementia. There should be a MANDATORY retirement age for them plus the Not-So-Supreme-Court.

[yeoman6987]

3. 3 times Wisconsin! Three times

Apparently the voters want this.

[Worried senior]

18. I know

How dumb can this state be. I am very ashamed of the ones here that voted for him or didn't vote.

[Kingofalldems]

41. I see what you are doing.

[still_one]

4. How was the voter turnout in WI?

[truthisfreedom]

5. Test all government employees first

[Hangingon]

73. If this requirement is supposed to slow up Walker...

I don't think it will. I think he would welcome it.

[Kalidurga]

6. "We want a smaller Government!!!!"

"Unless, you get food stamps, are unemployed, have a womb, or want to marry the person of your choice."

[NickB79]

7. Quick, how much does a drug test cost?

Now multiply that by 836,000 people, and try to claim you're still fiscally conservative.

[Atman]

77. You don't have to transfer it to 836,000 people. They transfer it to YOU!

They actually require the testee to pay for his/her own test! This is just a way to soak even more money out of the people who can least afford it. And it has already been proven NOT to work, and costs much more money than it saves the taxpayers. This is just another GOP pocket-lining scheme.

[still_one]

8. I suspect the aclu may take this. Would not be surprised to see it reach the SC

[lastlib]

9. Fuck that fuckwad!

Hey, Walker, you listening??!? [font size=10]FUCK YOU!![/font size]

[yeoman6987]

25. Oh yeah he is listening

He is going to listen to himself and how great he is to win so many times. He is going to be worse then anyone imagines. Strap in Wisconsin, you have quite a ride ahead. I doubt he cares if he gets a "fuck you" here or there. He is full on powerful in his mind.

[lastlib]

38. true, but I had to say it.

Couldn't live with myself if I had passed up the chance......

[yeoman6987]

43. Lol. I know the urge

I find myself needing to from time to time. This week more often then normal.

[Live and Learn]

10. This is just another way to transfer taxpayer dollars to private companies.

If you outlawed privatization and insisted that the government do the drug testing Walker and his minions would be against it.

[bhikkhu]

11. If the voters didn't want that, they wouldn't have voted for it

I presume. I wonder if they think in Wisconsin that votes don't matter, and that both parties are the same?

[jmowreader]

59. Did he run on it?

[bhikkhu]

66. Yes, he did

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/15/scott-walker-welfare-drug_n_5822552.html

[lutefisk]

67. He announced it about 6 weeks before election

It seemed like really odd timing, but I guess it energized the voters who like to kick people when they're down. The campaign must have tested it in focus groups or something, because it seemed to have worked for him.

Walker on Monday defended his proposal to require drug tests of people seeking unemployment assistance and food stamps by saying it was an act of compassion, not an attempt to make it harder for people needing help.

"This is really about compassion," the Republican said. "It's not about making it hard to get government assistance, it's about making it easier to get a job."

link for quote

[C_U_L8R]

12. And I want Walker to take an IQ test

There should be some kind of standard
before a politician qualifies for our tax dollars.
I've had it with tea party numbskulls.

[yeoman6987]

26. IQ test?

Lol. Would any pass our side included?

[C_U_L8R]

30. Probably not

Makes it an even better idea

[onecaliberal]

13. Apparently this is what voters want.

They've had three chances to get rid of that fucking criminal. When does he face charges? There is concrete proof he coordinated with dark money which is illegal during the recall. Where are the charges against him?

[Vinca]

19. Bingo! You're exactly right.

[Cosmocat]

81. Right

This is what people wanted.

[Cosmocat]

82. Sure - is the elected officials of the state are held to the same standards

cause they are living off the tax payer dollar and getting paid A LOT more to do it.

Also, someone made a REALLY, and frankly unfathomably, forgotten point.

Unemployment is an INSURANCE program, people taking in the money THEY PUT IN.

[onecaliberal]

85. This is obviously what they voted for,

Or by not voting allowed others to decide for them. So, yes, this is what they wanted.

[hue]

14. Here's an interesting opinion from the ACLU re what happened in FL w/Rick Scott

https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-racial-justice/florida-cannot-drug-test-people-simply-because-theyre-poor

Remember that amazing Daily Show segment a couple years ago in which a correspondent asked Florida Governor Rick Scott to pee into a cup? Governor Scott was dead set on forcing some of the state's poorest, most vulnerable citizens to submit to humiliating and expensive drug tests before they could receive public benefits. According to the Daily Show correspondent, it should follow then that lawmakers, including Governor Scott – who also cash checks that come from public funds – should receive the same treatment.

Not surprisingly, Governor Scott refused to have his urine tested for drugs. Why? We can only guess, but it's probably because mandatory and suspicionless drug tests are invasive, offensive, ineffective, and – as of this week – officially unconstitutional.

Citing the 4th Amendment's protections against unreasonable government searches, a federal District Court handed down a blistering decision in the final hours of 2013 that knocked down a Florida law mandating that all applicants for the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program submit to suspicionless drug tests.

I expect more of the same in WI. I especially think all WI administrators & legislators should pee in a cup as they are on the state dole also.

[SoapBox]

15. Same as airlines...

Pilots, Flight Attendants and "certain" safety sensitive persons are still subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

There was a stink years ago where the executives were challenged to do the same.

They refused.

[bluevoter4life]

17. I am one of those "safety sensitive positions"

ATC. I think I, along with everyone else in my type position, should be randomly tested. I do not however, think Joe Schmo working a minimum wage retail job should be subjected to these invasive procedures. No probable cause, no test. I do not believe in pre-employment drug testing, as they a) paint everyone as potential criminals and b) never are effective at weeding out (no pun intended) drug users.

[yeoman6987]

28. I agree

I took the pee test for 24 years. Part of the job I signed up for. Welfare recipience didn't volunteer for it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

46. I was, too. Worked for an airline in a "safety sensitive" job.

But that was the deal I signed up for, and I had no problem with it. But it's outrageous to require drug testing in any other situation, and it's not only unfair and ineffective for non-safety-related personnel, but insulting. Also, as at least one court has held, unconstitutional.

Make Scott Wanker and his minions pee in a cup. They are endangering the safety of every-damn-body in Wisconsin.

[secondwind]

20. he must have $$ invested in a drug-testing company... this man is only looking out for himself

[onehandle]

21. Fascist.

[SamKnause]

22. Proven failed

policies are all the Republicans have to offer.

The 1% do not keep the Republicans in power.

The uninformed and misinformed keep the Republicans in power !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The anti science crowd keep the Republicans in power. (end of times, climate deniers)

The rewrite history and deny facts crowd keep the Republicans in power. (believe in the failed economic trickle down policies, deregulation, and free trade)

The religious fanatics keep the Republicans in power. (pro-life, pro Christian nation, anti same sex marriage)

The white power crowd keep the Republicans in power. (racists)

[C Moon]

23. Just throw 'em prison, Walker. Ass.

[MillennialDem]

24. How about no drug tests for ANYONE except those who might endanger public safety

(airline pilots, police/taxi/professional drivers, and certain medical and construction workers).

I don't use drugs and it's bullshit that I have to piss in a cup for a job not related to safety. It's a hassle and inconvenience for me with only two outcomes: the hassle and a corrective test... or the hassle and a false positive.

And yeah I believe people should be able to get blasted out of their mind on their own time. I think it's stupid as hell to do so, but it's not my problem.

[elleng]

27. Been there, Done that!

How the hell did he get re-elected??? Wisc + Fla!!!

[bravenak]

29. Are they observed?

If so I know how the ladies can pass, I'll write up and instructional and post it.
If unobserved, then they should just use their children's urine.
If nobody fails the test, it will cost the state MILLIONS.
I wonder if Rick Scott's company has a branch up there.

This is bullshit. I do not believe in drug testing poor folks in order to not feed them and their children. We should end welfare reform!!! It was terrorism against the poor. Stagnant wages + welfare reform + drug tests = stress, starving kids, abuse, and homelessness.

[Scarsdale]

47. Kids

So many kids were eligible for free lunch in the Beloit Wi. school system, that the decision was made that ALL kids eat for free. So, Walker wants to make sure these kids ONLY eat at school if their parents make poor choices? This man dropped out of college, and is now being groomed for the WH!!! Makes sense when you consider that he is a republican.

[bravenak]

49. He's showing off.

What a creature!

[Cryptoad]

31. I have yet to hear anybody say

who will feed the kids of these poor Drug users after their food stamps are taken away,,,,,,,,,

[KingCharlemagne]

39. That is the issue in a nutshell, isn't it? The sins of the father and mother shall be

visited upon the sons and daughters. Really very Old Testament\Nathaniel Hawthorne-ish.

[CrispyQ]

32. He is a mean nasty prick.

It's a really sad statement about a significant number of our population that he won again.

[OldRedneck]

60. Well, yes, he is . . .

But what about the mean, nasty pricks who vote for him?

He's giving them what they want.

[heaven05]

33. and

he was just reelected by a majority. Says it all.

[hatrack]

34. Hey Wisconsin! Have fun!

.

[undeterred]

37. How do people afford to buy drugs without a job?

If people are cheating the system, go after them.

[bravenak]

48. They aren't on drugs!!

Rick Scott did this in Florida and cost the state Milions. The people weren't on drugs. They were less likely than the general population to be on drugs. No money!! No drugs!! If they go into a welfare office they wait weeks for the money, rarely do people with money go through the dehumanizing process of getting welfare just for kicks.

[shenmue]

50. So, it's a crime to be poor?

Then let's drug test every person in the entire country. Why not?

There are more people off welfare than on it. Therefore, the likelihood is greater that someone not on welfare will be on drugs. Stands to reason.

Also, most drugs are legal. Like for instance, beer.

They've got big stores full of it.

When do we get to make this piece of garbage take the pee test?

Go on. I'm waiting.

[Peacetrain]

51. Thatis the right wing mantra right now.. we hear it all the time

[LeftishBrit]

52. For pity's sake don't tell Iain Duncan Smith; he has enough ideas already for punishing poor people

[EEO]

53. I want him drug tested.

[freshwest]

54. The 40% of children will learn something being treated by criminals, huh, is that the plan?

Gee, what am I thinking?

Yes, they're all criminals, just like women wanting information for abortions, the disabled, elderly and poor needing shelter.

Add in those who aren't wanted by private schools and prepare them to go to the big house instead.

Take away all public parks and services, those who thought they were their birthright are thieves in reichwing world.

They are pushing people - well, not just pushing, shoving and kicking - away from government. Get your help from the church of their choice, not yours, or FOAD.

IIRC, he is the hellbeast who told the parents of vulnerable people that if they didn't move them out of care immediately, they could make contact at the homeless shelters because they were going to be dumped there.

And so it goes, destroying civil society from the top down, in intimate ways, and AFAIK the ACLU and no one else was capable of resisting the will of the voters who placed these fascists in office, from transvaginal ultrasounds, forced colonscopies and peeing in a cup or giving blood when no crime has been committed.

Thanks to the majority of voters in this country, you can kiss all that goodbye.

Thank you, Charles Koch and your Libertarian platform, for showing us just how low we can go.

Not that it wasn't obvious after two terms of Bush...

[bigdarryl]

55. This should be unconstitutional

[giftedgirl77]

76. It has been deemed so repeatedly...

Ask Florida & a few other states. The idiots are just too stupid to learn from others mistakes.

[kelliekat44]

56. If you are jobless you might be sick and on prescription drugs, or you might need weed to calm down.

WTF is wrong with this scumbag? What kind of drugs would disqualify one from getting food stamps? He probably only intends to test minorities.

[kelliekat44]

57. Half the time he looks and acts as though he is on something himself. Maybe all state government

officials from the legislature up to governor should be tested?

[riversedge]

58. gonna be a long 4 yrs... I really

do not know if I want him to run for Pres or not. Am leaning YES

[BlueStater]

61. Hard to feel sorry for a good chunk of Wisconsin.

You had TWO opportunities to get rid of this moron and you choose to keep screwing yourselves.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

62. Drug test legislators and governors first

and any politician on a public salary, then we'll talk.

[Odin2005]

63. These fuckers are becoming as vicious as Depression-era Republicans.

[UglyGreed]

65. kick em while they

are down, so patriotic of him.

[lutefisk]

68. He says it's "really about compassion"

Further proof he's a sociopath.

[Old Nick]

70. Drug testing?

Most of the Republican Party needs it! (As well as psychiatric evaluation.)

[davidpdx]

71. I'm waiting for Scott to say that he's going to charge these people for the drug test

Given some of the shit he comes up with, that's the next logically conclusion.

[redruddyred]

72. only if we get to test the banksters too

they received public funds.

[Tatiana]

74. There is something seriously wrong with this man.

But I know his fan club is cheering him on.

How sad. Being poor isn't awful enough. We have to humiliate the poor, as well. The only hope is that the courts strike this down. This seems like an unreasonable search and invasion of privacy.

[jayfish]

75. Aw Jeez...

[liberal N proud]

78. And the ignorant public cheered

[underpants]

79. Urine trouble for being poor!

[sakabatou]

80. So, not only will he drain the state's coffers

He'll kill the poor.

[Lifelong Protester]

83. Don't a lot of seniors get food stamps?

All those Wally World employees?

[Sunlei]

84. Take the wind out of that pompous mans sails, President Obama!

Mandate to decriminalize marijuana.

Mandate a drug test can not be used to delay, refuse or remove any gov. assistance.

Let them sue you, it will take a lifetime.

[Orsino]

86. And a majority of those willing and able to vote agree with him. n/t

[TBF]

87. This program needs to begin

with Congress (and all governors for that matter) being drug-tested. Their salaries are paid with our tax dollars.

[Steerpike]

88. We need to allow the Republicans to fullfill their mandate

Then when all these draconian "requirements" are implemented, people will either decide to vote Democrat or we will finally learn the real character of the American People.

[LiberalFighter]

89. What will be the next step?

Requiring Social Security beneficiaries to be drug tested?

[Myrina]

90. ... so let's look into who funded his campaign and where his 'private' investments are ...

.... my guess is he's a major shareholder in the same company that Rick Scott is part of that robbed the state of FL under the same guise.