JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Lawmakers in both the Missouri House and Senate debated bills Thursday to require drug testing for some people who receive cash welfare payments.
Sponsors in both chambers said public demand dictates that something be done.
"The Missouri taxpayer has the right to expect that the dollars we confiscate from him...take out of his hard-earned wages, are not spent for illegal use,” Sen. Bill Stouffer, (R) Napton said.
"They do not feel, as hard-working taxpayers, taking drug tests to apply and then randomly to keep their jobs, that they should do anything to subsidize illegal abuse of drugs,” Rep. Ellen Brandom, (R) Sikeston said.
The legislation requires drug testing of any recipient of benefits under the "temporary assistance to needy families" program for whom there is a reasonable suspicion of drug abuse.
"She used the phrase 'mutual accountability.' Mr. Speaker, this is a bill to require mutual accountability,” Rep. Ed Emery, (R) Lamar said.
That means training welfare workers to spot drug abusers.
"I don't think it's their job,” Rep. Michael brown, (D) Kansas City said. “And I don't think there's a special training out there.”
Minorities think it's just another form of profiling.
"Many of the people who have called my officer or sent e-mails to me have said to me that this bill is attacking folks in the urban areas and that it is looking at people of color,” Rep. James Morris, (D) St. Louis said.
Others said it's just not practical.
"These have consequences, financially,” Sen. Jolie Justus, (D) Kansas City said. “We can't just cut someone off and expect that they're gonna disappear.”
They warn of increased costs in corrections and foster care, as well as additional pressure on mental health services, if families get put out of their homes.
"This drug testing of TANF recipients ...it exacerbates that problem,” Rep. Kiki Curls, (D) Kansas City said.
The Senate still has work to do on its legislation.
That bill does not yet require drug testing for elected officials, but amendments to do so are pending.
The House bill does require drug testing of all elected state officials before they are sworn in.
The House voted overwhelmingly, 114 to 39, to give its drug testing legislation final approval.
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