Republicans Move to Expand Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits
House Republicans gave Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and other Republican governors a gift on Wednesday: They voted to repeal a Labor Department rule that limited which workers state governments can drug test before handing out unemployment benefits. The vote tally was 236-189, and largely fell along party lines.
Nearly 50 labor and civil rights groups signed a letter arguing that the repeal legislation would allow states like Wisconsin to waste taxpayers dollars on drug testing already performed by employers and punish working families that are trying to get back on their feet. Funding for unemployment insurance generally comes out of workers' paychecks, so labor advocates argue the benefit is a right, not a privilege earned by testing clean.
"The reality is that people who receive public assistance are no more likely to use illicit drugs than the general population, and these kinds of drug testing programs are a big waste of tax dollars for states to run and defend in court," said Grant Smith, deputy director of national affairs with the Drug Policy Alliance, in a statement.
Along with the governors of Texas, Mississippi and Utah, Governor Walker applauded the legislation and said in a statement that it would help his state move forward with plans to expand drug testing for those on public assistance. Civil rights and labor groups warn that "suspiscionless" drug testing for public assistance is a waste of money and violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches, so programs like Governor Walker's would likely face expensive challenges in court.
Drug testing people who receive government benefits has long been a popular idea among Republicans. Proponents claim they are seeking to divert taxpayer dollars from the illicit drug trade and compel the workforce to sober up, but opponents say their proposals single out poor people for punishment. Don't expect the GOP to tack on drug testing requirements for rich CEOs to corporate tax breaks anytime soon. Plus, mandatory drug testing policies unfairly impact people of color, who are more likely to be criminalized for drug use when tests are positive.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39524-republicans-move-to-expand-drug-testing-for-unemployment-benefits
They don't like 'big government' but they love to waste taxpayer money on 'intrusive' government.
