Hopefuls lean toward tests
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Drug testing of welfare and food stamp recipients got a qualified “yes” from state Senate District 16 candidate Dan Claitor on Tuesday, while opponent Lee Domingue said the idea is worth looking into.
“I do like the direction,” Domingue said.
Claitor and Domingue reacted to legislation prefiled for consideration in the 2009 Legislature, which opens April 27.
State Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, proposed the mandatory testing for all adults receiving state subsidies.
The two Republican candidates face each other in a run-off election for the Senate seat vacated by Bill Cassidy, who is now 6th District U.S. congressman.
The Baton Rouge-based District 16 runs from the lakes of LSU to the southeastern corner of the parish.
Today, drug screening for welfare recipients amounts to answering written questions, with those identified as having a potential problem referred to the state substance abuse office.
Those identified are subject to counseling and possible testing. If they refuse to go to the office or don’t do the testing or counseling recommended, they can be denied benefits.
Claitor said he favors the drug testing proposed by LaBruzzo if there is going to be “a positive benefit” without extraordinary cost.
“I would like to see something more than simply booting them out of the (welfare or food stamp) program such as offering them some opportunity to help themselves,” said Claitor, a lawyer who is also in the publishing and real estate business.
As an Orleans Parish prosecutor, Claitor said, he had the opportunity to see “some of those with drug and alcohol addictions. They have to bottom out before they get out of the denial phase and accept or seek help.”
Claitor said the state should also be mindful of children who might be affected if the benefits are shut off. “I would hate to see children penalized for their irresponsible parents,” he said.
“Certainly people should be responsible for their conduct, but I would like to see it tied to some opportunity for self-improvement,” Claitor said.
Domingue said he supports where LaBruzzo is headed with the legislation. He said he had not been able to look at the legislation.
“I believe that there’s dignity and value in hard work,” said Domingue, a businessman and chief executive officer of AppOne.
Domingue said he is not for public funding going to “people who make bad personal decisions” and use the money to purchase drugs.
“I believe there should be consequences for poor performance and poor behavior,” said Domingue who is also an evangelical author. “I’m for the hand up but not the hand out.”
“I support holding people accountable,” said Domingue.
During the current state budget year, about 11,500 residents on average get monthly cash assistance through the state’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. The average monthly payment is $186 million. An average of 660,000 residents receive food stamps each month. The average payment is $270.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
