Swatted: Florida Court Blocks GOP Welfare Drug Testing Requirement

State’s governor says he will appeal the “disturbing” ruling

Give me liberty or give me death, not a drug test. That’s essentially the message Navy veteran Luis Lebron sent to Florida officials, after he sued to stop the state from requiring him to submit to a drug tests in order to receive public assistance. A federal appeals court on Tuesday blocked the law, ruling the state had failed to show “substantial special need” in requiring applicants be tested when there is no suspicion of drug use. The ruling upheld a lower court’s decision to block drug testing because it’s seen as a violation of the Fourth Amendment’s ban on unreasonable searches. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida represented Lebron’s case. “The state can’t do what it [wants] to do to me and my family without reason or suspicion,” Lebron said. “I’m glad that the court agreed.” Gov. Rick Scott called the ruling "disturbing" and said he would appeal. “Drug use by anyone with children looking for a job is totally destructive,” said the Republican governor. Here’s a question for the governor and others like him: why is it that you think Luis or anyone else seeking temporary public assistance are likely drug abusers? (New York Times)

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