February 09, 2012 - 11:37 pm
BY JIM NOLAN
Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee were less than enthusiastic about the Republican vote to approve legislation (SB 6) that would require some welfare recipients to pass a drug screening in order to receive benefits.
Democratic Sen. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, whose party is outnumbered on the GOP-controlled committee, reminded the panel that similar legislation in Florida had caused a stir and been halted by a court.
“This is essentially the bill that has made Florida the butt of jokes on late night television,” Saslaw said.
“Why would we even mess with this thing? I really have no desire to have my face on the Daily Show,” he added.
“Neither do we, Senator Saslaw,” a Republican colleague responded.
“Well, there’s one way to do that,” Saslaw responded. “And that’s kill this sucker.”
After the party-line vote advancing the measure, albeit without a budget amendment to provide funding, Finance committee member Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax said:
“I would just like all the late night comics to know who voted for it and who didn’t.”
