Gatschenberger: Welfare Drug Tests, Wentzville Town Hall Meeting, Special Elections

Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients

These days we are hearing a lot about both government and individuals being "responsible". Our State government is monitored for the amount of money it spends and what it spends it on.  We rightfully expect our government to be "responsible" with our money.  I believe that should also apply to those receiving our tax dollars through government assistance programs.

I am sponsoring a bill that would require drug testing for those who apply for, and are on, temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) — (formerly referred to as welfare). House Bill 1289 states if a welfare applicant or recipient tests positive for drug use, he or she will be ineligible for the benefits for three years, when a second review would be held. If a parent is deemed ineligible for welfare, benefits for his or her child would not be affected. The program would be developed by the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Drug testing happens throughout the real world. Most employers use it. For instance, Wal-Mart drug tests people before hiring them. Over-the-road truck drivers are required to take drug tests at random. Athletes also have to take random drug tests. In this case, we are talking about people who either are on or want to be on public assistance. Why would it be okay for somebody on public assistance to be abusing illegal drugs? It should not be. House Bill 1289 simply requires the same standards to be used for welfare participants as are applied to most every other aspect of our lives.

If you think I am picking on a certain percentage of our population, I'm not. HB 1289 has a clear goal: to help those whom the tax payers of Missouri are helping, to help themselves. Drug testing will move our welfare population toward a healthier and less costly lifestyle, encouraging their independence.  As I stated earlier, funding for eligible children would continue. There is no need to punish children for something that is not their fault.

There are other House and Senate bills that are similar to this proposal. Whether or not the bills are combined into some sort of compromise remains to be seen. There is still much left to be done on this bill for passage out of committee, onto the House floor and eventually to the Missouri Senate. I truly believe, in this time of economic uncertainty, we have a duty and an obligation to the taxpayers of this state to show we are spending their money wisely. Letting folks get away with abusing illegal drugs while they are receiving government money is not acceptable. Pray for our legislators to give this issue the attention it deserves as we continue in this legislative session.

You're Invited!  Town Hall Meeting

Please be my guest at my next Town Hall Meeting… March 25, 2010 at the Wentzville City Hall, 310 W. Pearce Blvd… at 7:00 pm.  Attendees of my last Town Hall Meeting requested a return visit of speakers for and against Missouri Fair Tax… so they will be there and so will Representatives from CLAIM – Missouri's State Health Insurance Assistance Program… covering Medicare issues, Missouri Rx (helping seniors and persons with disabilities on fixed incomes save up to 50% on your drugs) and the Missouri SMP (empowering Seniors to prevent healthcare fraud).  If you have any Medicare issues you need help with… these people will be happy to meet with you individually after their presentation.

Special Elections

In legislative action this week, the House voted on HB 1497, which would require special elections to fill vacancies in the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and United States Senator. Currently, a vacancy in the Office of United States Senator and most statewide offices, except for the Office of the Governor, are filled by gubernatorial appointment. The Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor if that office becomes open. These offices seldom come open between elections. Even so, we would never want Missouri to follow in the way of Illinois' Governor Blagojevich when he attempted to sell his state's U.S. Senate seat. This bill reinforces that officeholders are named by the will of the people. I voted for this bill, which passed overwhelmingly.

STAY IN TOUCH

As always, please let me know your thoughts about these or other matters of concern by calling my office at: (573) 751-3572 or by emailing me at chuck{dot}gatschenberger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

FUN FACTS

Missouri based Hallmark Cards (Kansas City) is the source of 152 Million Greeting cards exchanged on Valentines Day… that's a lot of hearts!

More than 1300 letters from Harry to Bess Truman survive in the Truman Library Collections.

Walter Cronkite of St. Joseph Missouri was married to his wife Betsy for 65 years.