Snyder signs suspicion-based drug testing bills

[inanna]

Source: Detroit Free Press

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation today that creates a drug-testing program for adult welfare recipients who are suspected of using drugs.

The Republican-backed proposals, House Bill 4118 and Senate Bill 275, were among several bills approved by Snyder. The one-year pilot program will be implemented in three counties that have not yet been determined.

<snip>

Opponents of the legislation, including the Michigan League for Public Policy, have said similar programs in other states haven't saved taxpayers money. The nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency estimated a statewide program would cost roughly $700,000 to $3.4 million, while potentially saving $370,000 to $3.7 million in caseload reductions.

The American Civil Liberties Union has said the program would promote ugly stereotypes of poor people and discriminate against a group that doesn't use drugs at a rate significantly higher than the general population.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/12/26/snyder-sigsn-suspicion-based-drug-testing-bills/20918625/

[The Jungle 1]

1. Test CEOs

We need a solid D state to pass a law that all CEOs who get any tax breaks or corporate welfare get drug tested.

[billhicks76]

30. Put A Hex On Them

So tired of these scumbags.

[oldandhappy]

2. test everyone in the legislature

[True Blue Door]

3. Blatantly unconstitutional.

Needing financial assistance does not require people to surrender their Constitutional rights.

[inanna]

4. In Canada, social workers used to do home visits to determine if one "qualified" for assistance.

Now they are not permitted to do so; it was decided that this was a violation of privacy.

So then this strikes me as very invasive as well.

[jwirr]

14. I hear you. They used to come in some states in the US as well. And having had a few of those

surprise visits I can tell you that they were not fun. They walk around your home as if they owned it and looked in your refrigerator. I had a disabled daughter I was caring for and they knew it but I had to account for every medication in the house. My mother in law who raised 4 children alone after her husband walked out on her had to show the worker her grocery slips for everything she bought. I and her never got along but I will tell you that she loved her children and took very good care of them.

The drug test is the same kind of abuse. Shaming people who have nothing to do with the action that they are expecting.

To be fair to the social worker (I am one) I cannot imagine a well educated social worker who would even want to take part in this kind of bull anymore. They may have to do it to keep their clients in the program.

[Fred Sanders]

17. If cons do respect the constitution why do they pass transparently bad laws blatantly attacking it?

[True Blue Door]

18. They were *never* on board with the Constitution.

They were never on board with the Declaration of Independence.
They were never on board with the Magna Carta.
They were never on board with the Twelve Tables of Rome.
They were never on board with the Laws of Solon.

Everything that translates the arbitrary rule of power into the rational rule of law, they are against. They would obliterate human consciousness altogether if they could.

[notadmblnd]

26. I'd bet you're the one that doesn't work here.

How bout we drug test the real government teat suckers? We could start with the governor and work our way down to the police.

[elleng]

5. 'Suspicion' based on what?

[inanna]

6. Exactly! Was my question too. n/t

[elleng]

7. Unfortunately journalist,

+ Detroit Free Press/AP, didn't tell us. I sent a comment to that effect.

[lobodons]

8. Suspicion of being Black

Suspicion of being black will be one criteria

[ccarmenfrongillo]

24. suspicion of being poor

is one criteria. Not sure color matters when you need assistance

[heaven05]

9. wait until

January

[blkmusclmachine]

20. Yikes.

[Cryptoad]

10. I have yet to hear an answer to the Q

What will become of the children of these welfare reciprocates who test positive for drugs???? Will they become wards of State, or just let them become street urchins?

[jwirr]

13. Best Q in the world. Also (from experience) husband is a user - wife (or vice versa) is not. She

applies for food stamps so she and the children can survive. No one sells the food stamps and they are used in the way they were intended. So what happens when he tests positive? Are we back in the business of kicking the bad spouse out of the home again?

By the way, I am not referring to MJ here but pain relievers. And the husband still has a decent job and loves his children. This stupid bill does not take into account any of the varying situations that can present themselves in drug use.

Will the SCOTUS uphold this law?

[Cryptoad]

15. Of course the SCOTUS,,,,,

will uphold it. They will uphold any law that promotes Economic Tyranny based on the Super Rich's innate right to own everything!

[SoapBox]

11. I'm sure my white sister and brother-in-law, a "good" church going couple

in central Michigan...will be thrilled.

'cause all the evils in the state have been caused by all the black folks in Detroit, Flint, etc.

It's either them or all those former GM Union workers that retired with their pensions...but a lot of them were either deaf from lack of hearing protection OR have all died of cancer.

I'm sure I'm gonna hear how thrilled they are.

[The Jungle 1]

23. explanation

Here is the thing. Christ did not ask us to help the poor if we happen to have some extra cash and feel like it. He demanded we help the poor. He also did not say anything about first judging the poor. I am pretty sure he did say something about who would do the judging and it ain't us.

This is wrong on all levels and the people doing it need to visit the building with the pointy roof and have a long talk with the guy that works there.

Over 95% of Americans on public assistance are single mothers. I thought the right wanted to reduce abortion. Most are on public assistance less than 2 years and then move on with their lives. What we do is provide a Christian helping hand for these people and that is the right thing to do.

So run that by your sister.
Ok Soapbox I will get off my pulpit now.

[jwirr]

12. "suspected drug users" leaves a lot of room for abuse. But above all it has not been effective in

other states - why bother?

[Comrade Grumpy]

28. It's good politics for Republicans. Demonizing the poor and people of color.

We don't want our tax dollars going to buy drugs for lazy junkies!

I have to get drug tested for my job, why shouldn't they have to get drug tested for free money?

It plays well to the politics of chintziness and resentment.

Even though it achieves nothing.

[PumpkinAle]

16. What a cretin

can't even learn from his party that carrying out these nonsensical, humiliating and worthless testing is money down the drain.

Ironic that the GOP say welfare recipients should spend money on drugs, when are they going to start drug testing those on Wall Street?

[project_bluebook]

19. Kick them while their down legislation

The only thing republiCons are good at.

[BeanMusical]

21. Heartless scumbag.

I wonder if he would pass the test?

[Siwsan]

22. I wonder which of his relatives owns a drug testing company

That's kind of his MO.

[Gothmog]

27. This laws was declared void in Florida

Was is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result

[Comrade Grumpy]

29. That's why this law is "suspicion-based."

The Florida law required suspicionless, mandatory drug testing, which violates the Fourth Amendment.

Drug testing "with suspicion" arguably doesn't.

That's the difference. All of the welfare drug testing laws being passed now are suspicion-based to pass constitutional muster.