Why does something that makes as much commonsense as the requiring of those who accept taxpayer money in the form of unemployment compensation, welfare, food stamps or even Medicaid be made to submit to drug tests, seem to be seen by so many as being totally unacceptable, even insulting? Well, the good folks down in Texas certainly don’t see it that way. Because in Texas under a proposal recently approved by the Texas Legislature, workers who lose their jobs would now have to clear a drug screening in order to qualify for unemployment compensation under a proposal approved by the Texas Legislature. Makes sense, right?
Under current law, employers take out insurance policies to help laid-off workers survive on weekly payments of $62 to $440. Those who are fired for cause, including failing an employer-sponsored drug test, do not qualify. The changes approved Saturday would require laid-off workers to fill out state questionnaires. Answers considered suspicious would lead to drug tests. Workers who fail would lose their benefits. It just makes sense, after all, why should those furnishing the funds, the taxpayers, essentially be made to subsidize drug habits? But folks in such groups as the ALCU are of the opinion that such will dissuade people from applying.
Republican Sen. Tommy Williams said the program will help maintain a competent workforce. But something that should come as being no surprise, and also something that proves even in Texas, they are a rather pathetic bunch, Democrats have managed to successfully block a separate measure that would have required drug testing for welfare recipients. So at least for the time being, with help from Democrats, those collecting welfare checks have dodged the drug-testing bullet. But the bill targeting unemployed workers will now go to the governor where I think it’s pretty safe to assume that it will be signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry.
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