Senate tackles welfare drug testing bill
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

Senate tackles welfare drug testing bill

Date: April 26, 2011
By: Alon Gilboa
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 73 HB 47

 
Intro: 
As a welfare drug testing bill makes its way through the Missouri legislature, an amendment calling for drug testing of lawmakers gets shot down.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: St. Louis Democratic Senator Maria Chapelle-Nadal proposed the amendment to a bill that would ensure welfare recipients aren't abusing illegal drugs.

The amendment would have forced state lawmakers to get drug tested every two years.

She says lawmakers should be compared to welfare recipients in terms of their reliance on state funds. 

Actuality:  NADAL.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "As office holders, we also get money from the state by virtue of our jobs."

Lawrence County Republican Senator Jack Goodman struck down the amendment.

He says the amendment's subject was too far reaching and out of the scope of the bill.

After passing the House, the Senate adopted a substitute revised plan for drug testing.

The bill goes to a committee before a final vote on the Senate floor.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Alon Gilboa.

Intro: 
An amendment calling for drug testing of lawmakers gets shot down in the Missouri Senate.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: After passing the House, the Senate held up a bill that would make sure welfare recipients don't use illegal drugs.

St. Louis Democratic Senator Maria Chapelle-Nadal proposed an amendment that would have forced lawmakers to get drug tested every two years.

Both Democrats and Republicans rejected the amendment.

Clay County Republican Senator Luann Ridgeway says she believes it was too far reaching.

Actuality:  RIDGE1.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "While I don't think people ought to be liquored up or drugged up when they're making laws, it does open a completely separate chapter and different set of people."

After passing the House, the Senate adopted a substitute revised plan for drug testing.

The bill's next action is in committee before a final vote on the Senate floor.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Alon Gilboa.