Scott's Challenge to Welfare Drug Test Ruling Disappoints Rep. Cynthia Stafford

Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami, who has filed legislation to permanently overturn the statesrequirement to drug test welfare recipients, expressed disappointment Friday that the state is appealing a federal judges ruling that temporarily blocked thetesting.

"It is a great disappointment to learn that Governor Scott is continuing to waste taxpayer dollars on a legal crusade to defend what I believe is an unconstitutional intrusion in people's lives, Stafford stated in a release. What Governor Scott continues to forget is that being poor is not a crime, and the state should not attempt to treat poor Floridians as though they are criminal suspects. Mandatory drug testing for the purpose of applying for necessary assistance is mean-spirited, wasteful and unconstitutional."

The state announced Thursday it would appeal the Oct. 24 decision that set aside the law requiring drug tests for welfare recipients.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven sided with an Orlando man and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which challenged the drug-testing requirement.

Florida's drug-screening program, which took effect July 1, requires the Department of Children and Family Services to conduct the drug tests on adults applying for assistance. Recipients are responsible for the cost of the screening, which they would recoup in their assistance check upon qualifying.

Gov. Rick Scott called the program "a common-sense" law.

"I cannot fully express my disappointment in the federal district courts decision," Scott stated in a release."This policy is intended to help Florida families and is an effective way to ensure that welfare dollars are used for the benefit of children and to help Floridians get back to work and off public assistance. I have no doubt that the law is constitutional, and that it is supported by the great weight of judicial authority. The court erred in rejecting the states arguments, and was unjustified in blocking the will of the peoples elected representatives. An overwhelming majority of Floridians support this law, and I will continue to fight for it in the courts.