A popular Florida author and columnist wants all state lawmakers to take drug tests, and he will pay for it.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Lawmakers in Tallahassee could be headed for "a patriotic whiz-fest at the Capitol clinic". That's the call from a well-known author and columnist for the Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, who wants all legislators to "pee in the cup".
"These are the folks that control $70 billion dollars of taxpayer money," Hiaasen told the Associated Press. "I think they should be first in line to be drug tested, and here's the deal: I'll pay for it. But they all have to do it, all at once. Maybe the first week of the session? Go to the same lab, and send me the bill."
READ: Carl Hiaasen's full column
"Look, if he's serious tell him to write the check," Sen. Bill Bennett told us. "If [Hiaasen] writes the check, I'll be the first guy to stand in line, and I would encourage all the legislators to do it."
With one of the top Republicans in the Florida Senate saying he will pee in a cup, 10 News wanted to find out about the rest of Bay area lawmakers. However, most everyone we called for an answer -- never called back.
Soon, drug testing might not be an option, because Sen. Bennett says he might introduce a bill next session to require it. "You know what? I'm kind of thinking about it. Yeah, I'm kind of talking to some people over in the House and seeing if there is that interest because I don't have a problem with it," the Bradenton Republican told us.
For the author behind the idea, he loves the debate. "[Drug testing lawmakers] would have incredibly high entertainment value for me, and I'd probably get another column out of it," Hiaasen says.
Carl Hiaasen's column stemmed from a recent Florida law requiring recipients of one form of welfare (TANF) to pass a drug test first. A lawsuit against the testing has already been filed in Orlando, and a judge is currently deciding the constitutionality of the requirement.
10 News posted a poll on our Facebook page to find out what you think. An overwhelming 98% of you voted that state lawmakers SHOULD have to take a drug test. You can continue to vote online.
Follow 10News Reporter Chase Cain on Twitter @chase_cain
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