Lawmakers Rush to Co-sponsor Welfare Drug Testing

By Todd Hatton

Murray, KY – Legislation that would require welfare recipients to be tested for drug use is gaining popularity among Kentucky lawmakers, more than 50 of whom have signed on as co-sponsors. It doesn't matter that the measure stands little chance of passing into law. In a legislative election year, incumbents want their names on proposals that tend to be popular with blue-collar voters, as this one is. Republican state Rep. Lonnie Napier, sponsor of the bill, said it is one of the most popular that he's filed in more than 25 years in Frankfort. House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Tom Burch said he didn't allow a vote on the proposal in his committee last year, and he said he had no intention of relenting this time around.