NOT ON MY DIME – STOP DRUG ABUSERS FROM ABUSING OUR TAX DOLLARS!!
Below is posted on www.notonmydime.org:
The legislation I introduced will require recipients of public assistance to submit to at least one random drug screen every year. Upon the first positive the person will lose their benefits until a negative test is taken. Upon a second positive or failed screen, the person will lose their benefits for a period of two years.
This is the first bill of its kind that will not be a cost to the taxpayers, but a cost that the recipient pays for out of their benefits. The test will cost less than $25 and spread out over the year will result in $2 per month deduction from benefits. This will hardly cause some to “go hungry” as has been suggested by critics.
This legislation will not affect any children under the age of 18. We will not allow the children of this state to fall between the cracks because of mistakes of their parents. Our hope is that no one receiving tax payer dollars is spending them to subsidize illegal drug activity, but if they are they need to be identified so they can get treatment.
The taxpayer deserves to know that their hard earned tax dollars are not being used to subsidize illegal drug activity!
People across this state go to work every day to contribute the very tax dollars that are going to help those in need. Many of these people are subject to random drug screens in their workplace. It is only fair to ask those receiving taxpayer paid for services to live by the same standard of those paying for them.
Some have suggested that this legislation is unconstitutional, however a three judge federal panel said it best in that recipients have a “diminished expectation of privacy”. We are not saying that anyone has to submit to drug test, only those wishing to receive our tax dollars through these services.
If you believe in this kind of common sense standard, then I need your help.
Sign up for email updates and I will keep you informed on ways you can help pass this legislation in Georgia and elsewhere across the country.
Standing Up for Taxpayers,
Rep. Michael Harden
I agree in pricipal with the concept of this legislation, but I respectfully disagree with the “fee”, and the idea that it comes from benifits. So You are saying that reducing the benifits of people that pass the drug test is punishment for public assistance? or a fund raiser for the state? or to pay for helping those who fail? how many people will be required to administer this program?
where are all these people that are for this bill? I see 0 comments on here.By the way I pay taxes and I have paid My dues working and contributing to society for 50 years, and most people at some time or another in their lifetime require assistance of some sort so Your looking down on poor people is not My idea of representing the people, and Goverment Rep saying They represent all people is untrue, They represent people They feel will keep Them in office to draw the big salary and enjoy all the great health and insurance benifits afforded Them by OUR tax dollars.by the way $2 times how many people is how much Money? I know this will not be on here but I also have a right to express My opinion. The people of this country are taking a real beating over Wars and Govermment spending and We are going to worry over this and both partys are very guilty of throwing trillions of $ away so lets punish the little Guy! shame on our Goverment. Ray Hamilton