Michigan Bills Would Require Individuals to Work For Welfare and Pass Drug Test

Well, it is about time … Barack Obama always talks about having skin in the game, I am sure he would support this.

There are two Michigan bill, one in the Senate that would require those receiving welfare to do some “volunteer” work, while a second in the House would require drug testing in order for recipients to receive public assistance. This should not only exists in states, it should be a federal law. In order to gain public assistance, one should have to give back to the community and at the very least, not be a drug addict. If an individual has to pass a drug test in order to get a job in the United States, why would the same not be true to receive welfare? One should have to meet a standard to get tax payer government assistance, otherwise, where is their skin in the game?

A bill has passed in the Michigan Senate that would require those receiving public assistance to do some “volunteer” work. Another bill, which passed the House Commerce Committee, requires drug testing, revoking benefits for welfare recipients who refuse the test or who test positive.

“What [the legislation] does, it says, in order for your to receive your cash assistance, your welfare check, you must provide some kind of community service to the community,” said the volunteer work bill’s sponsor, State Senator Joe Hune, who represents  Livingston and Shiawasse counties in Mid-Michigan.

Hune says he was inspired by a constituent who began to volunteer while on welfare — and that community service evolved into full employment.

“The whole intention is to make certain folks have some skin in the game, and I don’t feel that there’s any problem with making folks go out and do some kind of community service in order to receive their cash assistance,” Hune said.