Title:
Texas legislators want welfare recipients to pee in a cup
Message:
The Texas Legislature is sadly considering legislation that would require drug testing of those who receive public assistance. Sponsored by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-District 12), SB 11 would require drug-screening assessments of adult applicants for financial assistance benefits in the TANF program as a precondition for receiving benefits. If the assessment indicates “good cause” to suspect the person of drug use, the applicant would then be required to submit to a drug test.
Please ask your legislators to oppose this wasteful legislation.
I could tell you about how similar programs have been ruled unconstitutional in other states, don’t actually save money, and unfairly stigmatize the poor, but I’ll let the Daily Show do it better (and funnier) than I could:
This proposal is just wrong-headed. There is no scientific data that indicates that people who receive public assistance use drugs at higher rates. In addition, this kind of legislation is unconstitutional and fiscally irresponsible. The bill would actually cost Texas taxpayers more than it would save, since the state would have to pay the cost of these tests and legal fees to defend the law in court.
Please take a minute to tell your legislators that you don’t approve.
