Oklahoma House votes to drug test state legislators – Arizona should follow suit

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Last week I posted about our Tea-Publican legislature's attempt to demonize the unemployed. The GOP war on the unemployed continues:

SB 1495, which gained preliminary Senate approval this past week, is being pushed by Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa.

“With near-record rates of unemployment that we’ve seen over the last year or so, if you are fortunate enough for your state to pay you while you’re looking for a job, as far as I’m concerned, the very least you should be is in a suitable state of mind to search for a job,” he said. “If you are on drugs, you cannot pass a drug test, odds are you can’t pass an interview — if you’re going on them as you’re supposed to be.”

Smith’s original legislation called not only for all applicants to pass a drug test as a first step in eligibility but also mandatory testing for those already receiving benefits. But he agreed to scale that second half back, instead authorizing random tests for current recipients.

Anyone who fails would be denied benefits for 30 days but could reapply at that time.

The legislation also authorizes random drug tests for those who already have been approved. A positive test means the loss of that month’s benefits and a requirement for monthly tests for the next six months; a second failure kills benefits, with no new application allowed for another six months.

Several other states have imposed similar requirements.

I pointed out that Democrats in several states have countered with bills to require drug testing elected officials.

The Oklahoma House actually passed an amendment to to a "drug test the poor bill" to apply to its legislators. Oklahoma politicians may be tested for drugs | Reuters:

Oklahoma legislators voted to subject themselves and politicians throughout the state to the same drug test they will require of poor people receiving public assistance.

The bill passed the Oklahoma House 82-6 on Monday and will now go to the state Senate.

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An amendment to the bill brought Oklahoma politicians into the same drug-testing regimen.

Democrats chided their Republican colleagues for singling out the poor for drug testing and tacked on the amendment, which requires anyone seeking local or state public office to certify they have passed a drug test within 15 days of filing their candidacy papers.

Republican Guy Liebman of Oklahoma City, who sponsored the bill, tried to eliminate the amendment but his motion was defeated by a 68-12 bipartisan vote.

A similar bill in Georgia has prompted a protest by Georgians who favor drug tests for lawmakers over drug tests for the poor and unemployed. Georgians Tell Republicans Pushing Drug Testing Mandate, 'You Pee First!':

That’s why, this week, Better Georgia is helping voters send a simple, direct message to Gov. Nathan Deal, a pee cup with a note, “You Pee First, Governor.”

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While lawmakers are busy creating a drug screen for Georgia’s poorest families, they have ignored two groups that receive and control a bigger share of government money: corporate executives and elected officials.

A recent survey by the nonpartisan, nonprofit Better Georgia shows that Georgians’ more heavily favor drug tests for elected officials and CEO’s of corporations that profit from tax dollars than for recipients of unemployment benefits and “welfare.” The survey of 806 registered Georgia voters has a 3.5% margin of error and showed:

• 79 % support drug testing elected officials and senior appointed officials
• 66% support drug testing CEO’s of corporations that get tax credits or government contracts
• 64% support drug testing welfare recipients and unemployment recipient

As I said last week, "to our Tea-Publican legislators, you first! Here's your cup." And I would add, let's drug test those recipients of corporate welfare also.