GOP spends $178,000,000.00 to save $60,000 on Florida drug tests for welfare

[McDowell's]

"Billionaire-asshole-governor Rick Scott of Florida recently imposed mandatory drug testing on welfare applicants, arguing that people on welfare are much more likely to use drugs. Except it turns out, they're not:..."

LOL

Nice Article Rdeanhole

How about "Tampa Bay Online"? Oops.

Welfare drug-testing yields 2% positive results | TBO.com

A 2008 study by the Office of National Drug Control Policy also showed that 8.13 percent of Floridians age 12 and up use illegal drugs.

Newton said that's proof the drug-testing program is based on a stereotype, not hard facts.

"This is just punishing people for being poor, which is one of our main points," he said. "We're not testing the population at-large that receives government money; we're not testing people on scholarships, or state contractors. So why these people? It's obvious-- because they're poor."

Scott's office did not respond to a request for comment.

from your link:

The initiative may save the state a few dollars anyway, bearing out one of Gov. Rick Scott's arguments for implementing it.

So the real question in this thread is: Can rdean read?

 

[CaféAuLait]

Welfare drug-testing yields 2% positive results | TBO.com

Thanks that one opens and it says it will save the state

The savings assume that 20 to 30 people -- 2 percent of 1,000 to 1,500 tested -- fail the drug test every month. On average, a welfare recipient costs the state $134 in monthly benefits, which the rejected applicants won't get, saving the state $2,680-$3,350 per month.

But since one failed test disqualifies an applicant for a full year's worth of benefits, the state could save $32,200-$48,200 annually on the applicants rejected in a single month.
Net savings to the state -- $3,400 to $8,200 annually on one month's worth of rejected applicants. Over 12 months, the money saved on all rejected applicants would add up to $40,800-$98,400 for the cash assistance program that state analysts have predicted will cost $178 million this fiscal year.

Actual savings will vary, however, since not all of the applicants denied benefits might have actually collected them for the full year. Under certain circumstances, applicants who failed their drug test can reapply for benefits after six months.

 

[JoeB131]

What’s more, the Florida law is actually costing rather than saving the state money. Only 2 percent of welfare recipients actually failed the drug tests, which means Florida will reimburse the 96 percent of recipients the $30 for the drug test. Florida will now owe “about $28,800 – $43,200 monthly in reimbursements.”

Ohio state Rep. Tim Grendell (R) said today that he will introduce legislation requiring Ohioans in need of unemployment benefits, welfare, or other government aid to take a drug test first. Patterned on Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s (R) new law, the bill, Grendell says, will force those seeking state aid “to pay for the drug tests” upfront — a payment that would only be repaid “if they pass.”

Alabama's Republican lawmakers are pushing to require people who apply for welfare to take drug tests, like Florida just has.

OUR VIEW: If the idea is to protect taxpayer dollars, why limit drug testing only to those who apply for welfare? | al.com

------------------------------------------------------

Look at that. The idea is so bad and so stupid, other Republicans are rushing to do the SAME DAMN THING. Hilarious! And they wonder why I'm critical of Republicans. They probably had a "gut feeling". Or looked at a tree.

It's a typically dishonest argument.

How many drug-abusing welfare recipiants stopped trying to collect welfare when they realized they were going to test their piss for drugs?

So essentially, 4% of dopers were stoned enough to think they could fool the test. The others probably just stopped bothering.

Bullshit Republicans spending dollars chasing dimes

Chasing windmills on drug crazed welfare recipients

YOu didn't answer my question. How many welfare recipiants who are serious drug abusers didn't show up once they realized that they would be tested (and possibly jailed)?

My guess is that it was quite a lot of them.

 

[nolebrakai]

IM a born and raised Floridian. Go Noles!!!! >>>-----;;;;--------->


anyways, Rick Scott is a gonner. what a mistake he was to vote in. the day I heard they were pushing this POS piece of legislation I was blow away. How can the GOP pass this bill and still say they stand for small Govt or fiscal responsibility? they make no sense.

here is a GOP Governor adding cost to an already broken system. its blows my mind the GOP would ever even consider this bill. For me, this clearly shows we have a group of people in this nation who are well funded and organized. their main mission is to take away entitlements that some have earned and some have not.

 

[Sallow]

"Billionaire-asshole-governor Rick Scott of Florida recently imposed mandatory drug testing on welfare applicants, arguing that people on welfare are much more likely to use drugs. Except it turns out, they're not:..."

LOL

Nice Article Rdeanhole

How about "Tampa Bay Online"? Oops.

Welfare drug-testing yields 2% positive results | TBO.com

A 2008 study by the Office of National Drug Control Policy also showed that 8.13 percent of Floridians age 12 and up use illegal drugs.

Newton said that's proof the drug-testing program is based on a stereotype, not hard facts.

"This is just punishing people for being poor, which is one of our main points," he said. "We're not testing the population at-large that receives government money; we're not testing people on scholarships, or state contractors. So why these people? It's obvious-- because they're poor."

Scott's office did not respond to a request for comment.

from your link:

The initiative may save the state a few dollars anyway, bearing out one of Gov. Rick Scott's arguments for implementing it.

The ACLU may be suing over this. Which will eliminate any savings if it happens. In any case..this really demonstrated just how wrong Rick Scott was..

 

[JoeB131]

IM a born and raised Floridian. Go Noles!!!! >>>-----;;;;--------->


anyways, Rick Scott is a gonner. what a mistake he was to vote in. the day I heard they were pushing this POS piece of legislation I was blow away. How can the GOP pass this bill and still say they stand for small Govt or fiscal responsibility? they make no sense.

here is a GOP Governor adding cost to an already broken system. its blows my mind the GOP would ever even consider this bill. For me, this clearly shows we have a group of people in this nation who are well funded and organized. their main mission is to take away entitlements that some have earned and some have not.

So by your mind, it's money well spent to pay drug abusers to stay home and get high?

Seriously?

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Whatever the cost, it’s money well-spent by Scott to pander to the base and buy their vote.

Otherwise, no cost is too great to humiliate the poor and reinforce the doctrine of fear.

 

[Sallow]

IM a born and raised Floridian. Go Noles!!!! >>>-----;;;;--------->


anyways, Rick Scott is a gonner. what a mistake he was to vote in. the day I heard they were pushing this POS piece of legislation I was blow away. How can the GOP pass this bill and still say they stand for small Govt or fiscal responsibility? they make no sense.

here is a GOP Governor adding cost to an already broken system. its blows my mind the GOP would ever even consider this bill. For me, this clearly shows we have a group of people in this nation who are well funded and organized. their main mission is to take away entitlements that some have earned and some have not.

So by your mind, it's money well spent to pay drug abusers to stay home and get high?

Seriously?

Or..

Maybe Scott is using a time honored conservative method of getting rich. Fleecing the public for his own benefit.

One of the more popular services at Solantic, the urgent care chain co-founded by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, is drug testing, according to Solantic CEO Karen Bowling.

Given Solantic's role in that marketplace, critics are again asking whether Scott's policy initiatives - this time, requiring drug testing of state employees and welfare recipients - are designed to benefit Scott's bottom line.

Gov. Rick Scott's drug testing policy stirs suspicion

 

[Ravi]

What’s more, the Florida law is actually costing rather than saving the state money. Only 2 percent of welfare recipients actually failed the drug tests, which means Florida will reimburse the 96 percent of recipients the $30 for the drug test. Florida will now owe “about $28,800 – $43,200 monthly in reimbursements.”

Ohio state Rep. Tim Grendell (R) said today that he will introduce legislation requiring Ohioans in need of unemployment benefits, welfare, or other government aid to take a drug test first. Patterned on Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s (R) new law, the bill, Grendell says, will force those seeking state aid “to pay for the drug tests” upfront — a payment that would only be repaid “if they pass.”

Ohio GOP Rep. Wants Drug Tests For Anyone Who Seeks Unemployment Benefits

Only 2 Percent of Florida Welfare Applicants Fail Drug Test

Alabama's Republican lawmakers are pushing to require people who apply for welfare to take drug tests, like Florida just has.

OUR VIEW: If the idea is to protect taxpayer dollars, why limit drug testing only to those who apply for welfare? | al.com

------------------------------------------------------

Look at that. The idea is so bad and so stupid, other Republicans are rushing to do the SAME DAMN THING. Hilarious! And they wonder why I'm critical of Republicans. They probably had a "gut feeling". Or looked at a tree.

Floriduh just layed off boatloads of teachers.

We are not called Floriduh for nothing.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Maybe Scott is using a time honored conservative method of getting rich. Fleecing the public for his own benefit.

Possible.

But Scott is a TPM true believer: that the private sector is perfect and all things government are ‘evil.’ Per radical rightist dogma, welfare is a ‘disincentive,’ and must be destroyed at all costs.

 

[nolebrakai]

So by your mind, it's money well spent to pay drug abusers to stay home and get high?

when did I say that? look, just cause someone is on welfare does not mean they are a crack head, you have to think a little deeper than that dude.


what we need to do is tear this current welfare system down and build a useful and economically versatile Version. People need help for crying out loud! I am a firm believer in a safety net however, this current version has to be demolished and quickly.

 

[JoeB131]

IM a born and raised Floridian. Go Noles!!!! >>>-----;;;;--------->


anyways, Rick Scott is a gonner. what a mistake he was to vote in. the day I heard they were pushing this POS piece of legislation I was blow away. How can the GOP pass this bill and still say they stand for small Govt or fiscal responsibility? they make no sense.

here is a GOP Governor adding cost to an already broken system. its blows my mind the GOP would ever even consider this bill. For me, this clearly shows we have a group of people in this nation who are well funded and organized. their main mission is to take away entitlements that some have earned and some have not.

So by your mind, it's money well spent to pay drug abusers to stay home and get high?

Seriously?

Or..

Maybe Scott is using a time honored conservative method of getting rich. Fleecing the public for his own benefit.

Duly noted that you didn't answer my question-

Let's try again. Do you think the government should be paying people to stay home, not work, and get as high as kites?

Do you really think this is a good investment?

 

[JoeB131]

Whatever the cost, it’s money well-spent by Scott to pander to the base and buy their vote.

Otherwise, no cost is too great to humiliate the poor and reinforce the doctrine of fear.

Oh, I'm sorry, are we HURTING THEIR FEELINGS?

Seriously?

"He suffers from the socialist disease in it's worst form- the belief that the world owes him a living." - Robert A. Heinlein.

People on welfare are living off the charity of the rest of us.

When you collect charity, you should at least make an effort to extracate yourself from the situation you find yourself in.

Staying home, getting high and watching the Jerry Springer show (or appearing on it) isn't showing respect to those people who are paying to keep you alive.

The problem with our welfare system is that we call it "Entitlement", and tell people they are owed this, not that they are living off other people.

 

[Sallow]

So by your mind, it's money well spent to pay drug abusers to stay home and get high?

Seriously?

Or..

Maybe Scott is using a time honored conservative method of getting rich. Fleecing the public for his own benefit.

Duly noted that you didn't answer my question-

Let's try again. Do you think the government should be paying people to stay home, not work, and get as high as kites?

Do you really think this is a good investment?

Actually I was for this program if it included treatment.

It don't.

 

[JoeB131]

So by your mind, it's money well spent to pay drug abusers to stay home and get high?

when did I say that? look, just cause someone is on welfare does not mean they are a crack head, you have to think a little deeper than that dude.

what we need to do is tear this current welfare system down and build a useful and economically versatile Version. People need help for crying out loud! I am a firm believer in a safety net however, this current version has to be demolished and quickly.

If they aren't a crack head, then a drug test isn't an imposition.

I had to take a drug test to get my current job. And the one that preceeded that. And the one before that. When I was in the service, they had regular drug tests.

Not seeing the problem here.

 

[JoeB131]

Actually I was for this program if it included treatment.

It don't.

"It doesn't"

And why is it society's job to give you "treatment" for fucking up your own life?

THE WORLD DOES NOT OWE YOU A LIVING!!!!!!!

 

[nolebrakai]

Not seeing a problem you say.

I have a homework assignment for you. Go buy a urine drug test and pay for the lab fees, bet you money were talking 200$ when its all said and done.


is that really worth it, all the while coming scary close to violating constitutional rights as Americans.

Its not morally or fiscally worth it.

 

[JoeB131]

Not seeing a problem you say.

I have a homework assignment for you. Go buy a urine drug test and pay for the lab fees, bet you money were talking 200$ when its all said and done.

is that really worth it, all the while coming scary close to violating constitutional rights as Americans.

Its not morally or fiscally worth it.

I'm sorry, where is there a constitutional right to collect welfare?

Yes, those tests are a bit pricy, but it costs society a lot more to subsidize that lifestyle, doesn't it?

What does it cost to fix a crack baby?

 

[Ravi]

Not seeing a problem you say.

I have a homework assignment for you. Go buy a urine drug test and pay for the lab fees, bet you money were talking 200$ when its all said and done.

is that really worth it, all the while coming scary close to violating constitutional rights as Americans.

Its not morally or fiscally worth it.

I'm sorry, where is there a constitutional right to collect welfare?

Yes, those tests are a bit pricy, but it costs society a lot more to subsidize that lifestyle, doesn't it?

What does it cost to fix a crack baby?

If you've ever been taxed by the government then the government owes you a service for that tax.

 

[Sallow]

Actually I was for this program if it included treatment.

It don't.

"It doesn't"

And why is it society's job to give you "treatment" for fucking up your own life?

THE WORLD DOES NOT OWE YOU A LIVING!!!!!!!

You seem to have no trouble with society filling the pockets of rich scumbags like Scott.

I like the idea of make sure our citizens..American Citizens..have access to treatment if they become sick.

And it's money that is better spent. I like the idea of saving lives. Oh and you don't know me. I made my own way..with my own money.