House Begins Discussions on Drug Testing Elected Officials
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House Begins Discussions on Drug Testing Elected Officials

Date: February 2, 2010
By: Nick Berry
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  A Missouri House Republican began debate Tuesday on expanding drug testing to elected officials and welfare recipients.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Clay County Representative Ryan Silvey says random drug testing should be mandatory for elected officials.  

Representative Bryan Jasper says it would be hypocritical to test those receiving government money if they did not test themselves as well.

Actuality:  JASPER.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: The Bill Deals with Drug testing, the Amendment deals with Drug testing, I think it's ludicrous for we members to say we're not held to the same standard.

The House rejected an amendment that would make government testing voluntary.

Some Representatives feared this would not be tough enough.

Silvey proposes randomly testing elected officials every two years.

Reporting from the State Capital, I'm Nick Berry.

Intro:  House members hit a roadblock trying to expand drug testing to elected officials.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The house said no to an amendment Tuesday that would make the drug testing of elected officials voluntary.

St Louis Democrat Maria Chappelle-Nadal tried to add it on to a bill that would require drug testing for welfare recipients.

She argued with fellow democrats who wanted more harsh rules.

Actuality:  CHAPPEL.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "Are we willing to have provisions that are in this legislation that would penalize having an elected official lose their office? There are some constitutional questions dealing with that."

Chappelle-Nadal's amendment offered no penalty for failing the drug test.

Reporting from the State Capital, I'm Nick Berry.