GOP war on the unemployed advances in House committee

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

What part of "unemployment insurance" (UI) does this tool Sen. Steve Smith (R-Maricopa) not understand? It is an insurance benefit earned during the period an employee was gainfully employed. It is not "welfare." The premium is paid by the employer. An employee is entitled to receive unemployment insurance benefits under the law when an employee loses his or her job through no fault of their own.

In Arizona there are only two reasons why an employee may be denied unemployment insurance benefits: (1) a voluntary resignation, or (2) discharge for "misconduct" in connection with the work (this can include alcohol intoxication or the failure to pass or refusal to take a drug test at work).

Sen. Steve Smith wants to treat all unemployed persons who have lost their job through no fault of their own as criminal suspects and to demonize the unemployed as lazy ne'er-do-wells who just sit around the house getting high all day.

Smith wants to condition the receipt of unemployment insurance benefits, which the unemployed are entitled to receive under the law, on the failure to pass or refusal to take a drug test. And he wants to add insult to the injury of losing your job by making you pay for the privilege of taking the drug test. Drug test for jobless advances in Arizona House:

If you're out of work, Arizona lawmakers want to make you take a drug test before you get an unemployment check.

And the unemployed worker would have to pay for it.

Arizona state Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, said he wrote Senate Bill 1495 to ensure people who get unemployment benefits are deserving. He doesn't consider anyone who uses drugs fit for assistance.

"If you are so fortunate to live in a nation to get an unemployment check … when you're down on your luck, the very least you should be able to do is prove you're of sound mind and body to earn — earn — that benefit," Smith told members of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

Once again for this slow-witted tool, it is "unemployment insurance" which was earned during the period the employee was gainfully employed. The employee is entitled to receive the unemployment insurance benefits under the law for qualifying quarters of work previously performed. It is not "welfare," you condescending asshole!

And how about we change your formulation for those who want to serve in the Arizona legislature: "at the very least they should be able to prove that they are of sound mind and body to serve in the legislature," because I have serious doubts about you, Mr. Smith.

Let's subject members of the Arizona legislature to the same drug testing that you want to impose on the unemployed as a condition of receiving unemployment insurance benefits which they are entitled to receive. It's a question of fairness. You pee in the cup first, asshole!

And I have long called for mental competency exams for anyone who wants to serve in the Arizona legislature. I have serious doubts about you, Mr. Smith.

The committee passed the measure Thursday on a 7-6 vote over the protests of the business community and concerns about conflicts with federal law.

* * *

Representatives of the Arizona and Greater Phoenix chambers of commerce and numerous other businesses opposed the bill.

Marc Osborn, representing the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said the bill could imperil the federal tax break for employers. He said the U.S. Department of Labor has noted several areas where SB 1495 conflicts with federal law.

In a letter to the state DES, which administers unemployment, Gay Gilbert, administrator of the federal Office of Unemployment Insurance, said it is unconstitutional to require a drug test as a condition for unemployment benefits.

Gilbert added that federal law also requires anyone denied unemployment benefits to appeal, which is not included in the Arizona bill.

The requirement for the person to pay for drug-testing costs also is troublesome, Gilbert wrote, because it could discourage people from applying for benefits in a timely manner — which could run afoul of a requirement to provide benefits quickly.

Smith called the concerns a "bluff," saying he doubts the federal government would enforce restrictions by removing the tax break.

This man is obviously high — drug test him! The federal government will most certainly follow through on penalizing Arizona for your unconstitutional bill, and it will be Arizona employers who pay the price for your foolishness in higher UI premiums.

Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, proposed an amendment to authorize a drug-testing program that fits with federal law. It passed.

The federal law, changed last month by Congress, lets states drug-test unemployment applicants in two cases: If the individual was fired for drug abuse, or if the person is seeking a job that requires drug testing. [Typically in the interstate transportation field.] People receiving unemployment benefits are expected to search for jobs.

Rep. Justin Olson, R-Mesa, said the fix is simple: Amend the bill to require drug testing in those two circumstances. That way, Arizona employers would still comply with the federal unemployment program.

Smith indicated he might not accept those limitations. He's interested in a wider test of unemployment recipients.

Why do you so hate the unemployed, Mr. Smith? Why do you want to demonize the unemployed as criminal suspects and lazy ne'er-do-wells who just sit around the house getting high all day? Why are you such a hateful individual?