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DMV blunt smoking part-ay! Gov. Rick Scott today put a temporary hold on his harsh-mellowing plan to randomly drug test all state employees — an absurd idea in the first place that would have cost millions just to root out the odd pothead or two at the parks service. (All while conveniently putting cash into a drug-testing company Scott co-founded.)
But not to worry, anti-mary jane fanatics: Scott says he’s still ready to fight to the Supreme Court for his right to force Department of Citrus bureaucrats to pee in a cup.
From the start, Scott’s drug-testing fetish ignited a firestorm. State unions have pointed out that courts around the country have struck down tests for government employees and opponents have argued the plan would cost millions with minimal benefit.
Scott countered that the plan would create a “safe, effective, productive, and fiscally accountable workforce.”
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But how can you take this guy seriously when he has a personal financial stake in drug testing?
Scott co-founded an urgent care chain called Solantic, which makes millions by doing quick drug tests at $35 a pop. When critics pointed out that his Solantic stake might make his drug-testing fanaticism a bit of a conflict of interest, Scott sold his shares — to a trust owned by his wife!
But don’t worry. His drug testing passion is purely ideological, Scott says. Supporters say they expect the courts to toss the ACLU’s lawsuit and the program to resume shortly.
“I fully anticipate ultimately that the courts will allow the governor to implement the policy to ensure that we have a drug-free workforce,” Rep. Mike Weinstein tells the Florida Times Union.
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