Nikki Haley (R-SC) wants drug tests tied to unemployment benefits

[babylonsister]

Haley sought delay of family business audit
Haley proposes drug tests for unemployment beneficiaries
By JOHN O’CONNOR - [e-mail]


South Carolina’s more than 236,000 unemployed workers could have to take a drug test in order to receive jobless benefits, according to a proposal by Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley on Tuesday.

But Haley’s Democratic opponent, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, criticized Haley for asking the state’s jobless agency — while a sitting lawmaker — to delay a 2005 audit of her parents’ clothing business. A former agency commissioner said Haley called her and requested the delay.

Former Employment Security commissioner Becky Richardson said Haley called her in 2005 to request the agency delay an audit of her parents’ business, Exotica International. Richardson said she received two similar requests in six years at the agency, but believed it was common to honor the requests.

snip//

The audit was one aspect of a day of back and forth bickering over the state’s bankrupt jobless benefits fund and who was to blame for running up $886.7 million in federal loans since December of 2008. Those debts will have to be repaid by S.C. businesses, and the loan interest could be paid by S.C. taxpayers.

Though employees fired for using drugs, alcohol or missing work can be disqualified from jobless benefits, Haley said testing the unemployed was one of several steps in ensuring the newly restructured Department of Employment and Workforce – now a cabinet agency – only pays benefits to those who have earned them.

“We will make sure, above all, that there will be no…benefits if they do not pass a drug test,” Haley said.

more...

http://www.thestate.com/2010/10/06/1499017/haley-drug-test-the-unemployed.html

[Bitwit1234]

1. But add the amendment that republican members of congress

and those running for office must take a test for mental capability they sure need it. Miller, Rand, O'Donnell, Angle, gee they would be lined up for so long we wouldn't get anything else done now would we.

[The Midway Rebel]

2. Not surprising coming from a Rethuglican.

What was surprisng to me was to discover that there are a handful of folks around here that think this policy is a good idea.

[GoCubsGo]

3. Several more of them in the state legislature calling for the same thing

I'm not sure what drugs have to do with people losing their jobs because their employer no longer has the funding to employ them, as is the case for the vast majority of people who get laid off. Just more bullshit from another brain-dead, self-righteous asshole who thinks unemployment is the same as welfare.

As for the ones around here who think this is a good policy, it's obvious they've never had to experience being on unemployment. They're undoubtedly repug trolls.

[spanone]

4. how about we drug test gubernatorial candidates

[mmonk]

5. I want to drug test the rich since the government spends so much time

kissing their ass.

[ejpoeta]

6. my husband seems to think this is a good idea. and we are on state health insurance.

we don't do drugs, but i don't like the idea. it's already humiliating having to go ask for help. i say anyone in the government has to undergo random drug testing. i bet they don't have to.

[Ganja Ninja]

7. Ok lets make a deal.

We drug test the unemployed when they put a Breathalyzer on the floor of both houses and make everyone blow into it before their allowed to speak. We won't stop anyone from speaking, we'll just post their blood alcohol level on c-span as they speak.

[babylonsister]

9. Haha! Great idea, will never happen. boner would blow it up! nt

[Drale]

8. How about drug tests

to become a senator or representive. I wonder just how many of the republicans are addicted to both "legal" and illegal drugs, I bet its alot.