Vilsack: Federal law bars Wisconsin food stamp drug testing

[hue]

Source: 18WQOW.com

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says federal law bars the drug testing of food stamp recipients that Wisconsin plans.

Vilsack responded Wednesday to a lawsuit filed by Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel asking a federal judge to declare that state budget provisions requiring food stamp recipients to undergo drug testing are legal.

In a statement, Vilsack says Congress has "repeatedly rejected the expensive, intrusive practice of suspicion-less drug testing," which Vilsack says has been shown to uncover "very little drug use."

The USDA has not yet seen Schimel's lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.wqow.com/story/29558731/vilsack-federal-law-bars-wisconsin-food-stamp-drug-testing

[Archae]

1. Couple questions regarding this "drug testing..."

1rst, who pays for the testing?

2nd, what about the fact that these "drug tests" are 5-10 % inaccurate?

Schittel so far has had nothing to say about that.

[slumcamper]

3. This is a violation of individual right to privacy and the equal protection clause.

This is little more than posturing and tossing red (literally) meat to the rabid RW base which, on one hand claims to embrace the Constitution and limited government, and on the other consents to the abuse of government power to denigrate the poor and weakest among us.

Fine citizens they are. Of course, Scotty will claim the mantle of hero among this crowd of mental midgets. Were it only that they were in those shoes...

[Gormy Cuss]

6. In every state where drug testing has been implemented for cash benefits

for all applicants, the rate of positive tests is lower than one would expect in the general population.In states where only applicants under suspicion of abuse are tested, the rates were still low.

It's a giant waste of money regardless of who pays for it. I hope that USDA prevails.

[cstanleytech]

9. I imagine some of its about funneling money to the companies either doing the testing and or

who are suppling the testing supplies.

[Myrina]

14. ^^ Bingo!! ^^

Rick Scott's wife just so happen to be part of the company that was doing the testing in FLA, and the family netted a few fat-stacks of cash during it's short lived tenure.

It's all about embezzling taxpayer money into the crony bank accounts, while there's still some to embezzle.

[niyad]

15. absolutely agree

[niyad]

2. I am 100% in favour of all those receiving government handouts--you know, the politicians,

corporations, etc. being required to undergo drug testing before receiving those checks.

[restorefreedom]

4. all i can say to that is

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

12. Sure, if you get paid a big salary, and only work a a 113 days a year...

I would wonder what you were doing with all that free time? Test the bastids!

[Wellstone ruled]

5. Well well,Tommy came out of hiding and attacked a Koch

operative. Finally did something to earn his keep. Amazed.

[forest444]

7. Their asinine restrictions on food choices should also be nixed.

If someone on Food Stamps wants organic tomatoes or bulk oatmeal - even filet mignon - they should be able to buy as much as their budget will allow. Which, need I remind, isn't very much anyway.

Here's hoping Walker becomes familiar with jail food, and soon.

[niyad]

16. absolutely agree

[cstanleytech]

8. I will support drug testing for food stamps

just as soon as everyone congressman and senator takes a drug test before any vote that involves spending or cutting spending on anything, after all thats public money and we need to make sure they arent doing drugs when deciding on how to spend it.

[riversedge]

10. Walker will continue to spend tax $$ and take this to court.

[dembotoz]

11. Just red meat to his evil base

[Sunlei]

13. republicans, especially state and local RW always disparage those in most need of a helping hand.

Todays Republicans have a tendency to denigrate the poor.