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Lawmakers want drug tests for jobless benefit recipients, elected officials
Posted: December 1, 2011 - 1:03am | Updated: December 1, 2011 - 8:55am
By Larry Peterson
Drug tests to qualify for unemployment checks: Several local state lawmakers like the idea but with a twist. They want elected officials to pass one, too, to hold office.

Voicing a widespread view, Rep. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, said it would be “hypocritical” for legislators not to accept a requirement they seek to impose on others.

The proposal surfaced Wednesday at the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast, which was attended by about 300 people.

The measure appears likely to find favor among Republicans who dominate the General Assembly. GOP lawmakers already have proposed similar requirements for welfare recipients.

But many Democrats are likely to oppose it and — so far at least — Republican Gov. Nathan Deal isn’t taking a stand. It’s not clear whether the chamber wants elected officials tested, too.

Testing for unemployment benefits was part of its 2012 legislative agenda, which legislators traditionally discuss at the yearly breakfast.

Rep. Bob Bryant, D-Garden City, drew loud applause — and shifted the discussion — when his turn came.

Bryant said he backs the whole agenda except for the drug-test item.

“I can support it,” he added, “if you require all elected officials to take the same exam.”

Like Watson, Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, who supports the chamber proposal, welcomed Bryant’s suggestion. So did Sen. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler.

“Anyone who holds elected office ought to be able to do so unimpaired,” Stephens said.

He said workers fired for failing a private employer’s drug test often spend unemployment checks on drugs.

“Let’s fix this problem for the business community,” Stephens added.

Recession-driven joblessness has strained Georgia’s unemployment benefits programs, and there is talk of increasing mandatory contributions from business.

Chamber vice president Trip Tollison said many business owners think testing might ease the crunch by weeding out drug abusers.

Carter said he has no objections to also requiring elected officials to pass tests.

“I will be glad to take a test any time,” said Carter, who — like Stephens — is a pharmacist. “I sell drugs. I don’t take them.”

Of the four Democratic lawmakers who represent Chatham County, only Bryant attended the breakfast.

But the testing proposal drew a sharp rebuke from Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta.

Fort said it’s a “bad idea” and likely an unconstitutional invasion of privacy.

“They’re saying we’re going to drug-test people who haven’t been accused of a crime,” he said. “We don’t even do it for people who are arrested. They want to criminalize the poor.”

If the criterion for tests is receipt of tax money, CEOs of companies that get big tax breaks should have to take them, Fort said.

“Companies like Delta Airlines get millions and millions,” he said. “That’s corporate welfare.”

Spokesman Brian Robinson said it’s too early for Deal to weigh in.

“We don’t comment on pending ... legislation unless it’s expressly a part of the governor’s agenda,” Robinson said. “... We haven’t laid out our agenda just yet.”

Tollison said the chamber will have to mull over required testing for elected officials.

“I have no idea where it will go,” he said. “It obviously got everybody’s attention.”