Perry, Dewhurst support drug testing for welfare, unemployment benefits

Texas’ top two leaders on Tuesday endorsed a change in state law to require first-ever mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients and those receiving unemployment assistance.

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the move would keep welfare recipients from spending money on illegal drugs, instead of necessary living expenses for which it is intended, and would cut down on unemployment costs to businesses for unemployed Texans who cannot pass a drug test.

At least 23 other states including Florida have either implemented a similar change or are considering it, as welfare reform has become a key issue among conservatives and in cash-strapped states looking to tighten elegibility criteria and to curb abuses.

“Texas taxpayers will not subsidize or tolerate illegal drug abuse,” Perry said at a morning press conference to announce his support of the change. “Every dollar that goes to someone who uses it inappropriately is a dollar that can’t go to a Texan who needs it for housing, child care or medicine. Being on drugs makes it much harder to begin the journey to independence, which only assures individuals remain stuck in the terrible cycle of drug abuse and poverty.”

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/perry-dewhurst-support-drug-testing-for-welfare-un/nS5dT/

I was going to comment on this story, but I got high.