Pubdate: Sat, 24 Mar 2012 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2012 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Lynn Bartells Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) OFFICIALS GET IN LINE BEHIND DRUG TESTS Amended Welfare Bill Also Applies to Them A bill that requires welfare recipients to undergo drug testing was amended Friday to require that statewide elected officials also pee in a cup. The constitutional officers - governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer - and all 100 lawmakers would have to pay for their annual drug tests. House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino said that drug testing welfare recipients but not other groups of people who benefit from government money is unfair. "It shouldn't apply to just the poorest and the most vulnerable population," said Ferrandino, a Denver Democrat. Under House Bill 12-1046, those applying for assistance through the Colorado Works program must pass a drug test prior to receiving assistance. The bill was heard Friday by the House Appropriations Committee, which passed it onto the full House on a 7-6 party-line vote, with seven Republicans in favor and six Democrats opposed. But all committee members voted for Ferrandino's amendment to include testing of statewide officials. "I don't think we should be held to any different standard," said Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland. "If we're going to go to these people with a straight face and say, 'Look, you have to abide by these laws,' we should be held to the same standard." On the lighter side, Ferrandino handed out faux pee cups to committee members that included their pictures, and he changed the name of the committee to "Appropeeations." Ferrandino told the committee that other states that have implemented the same requirement have spent "significant amounts of money with no direct benefit to the state." "I have a lot of concerns with this bill," Ferrandino said. "We are spending money we don't have." Ferrandino later said he would like to expand the testing so anyone who receives government funds, including "corporate welfare," be required to undergo the same testing as welfare recipients. The bill's House sponsor, Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, said he he isn't sure who Ferrandino is referring to when he brings up "corporate welfare." In pushing his bill, Sonnenberg has asked, "If you can spend money on drugs, why do you need the government's check?" Under HB 1046, co-sponsored by Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, welfare applicants would be reimbursed the cost of the $45 drug test if they pass it. Those who fail, though, would be denied reimbursement and any benefits and could not reapply for a year. Those who fail a second time wouldn't be eligible to reapply for three years. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom