The federal government rejected Georgia’s attempt to drug test food stamps applicants. Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 772, with the intention it would go into effect July 1. The bill would have required state officials to test those applicants they had a “reasonable suspicion” of using illegal drugs. Continue reading
drug testing
The prevailing conservative assumption is that most welfare recipients are drug addicts who get their check and proceed to smoke, snort, or shoot up the money they’ve scammed from good, hard-working Americans. This theory took a hit when the ACLU of Florida released documentation they obtained from the state showing that the program actually cost Florida taxpayers a net $45,780 in a four month period. During this time, 108 of 4,086, or 2.6%, of applicants failed the drug test, and because the law requires the state to reimburse those who pass the test, they actually paid out more than they saved. The law also failed to deter people from seeking assistance in the first place. The report indicated that caseloads from July to September 2011 were not dramatically reduced. Continue reading