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Alabama State Rep. Alvin Holmes (D) tells Alan how he plans to fight against legislation that would require drug tests for welfare recipients
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Welcome back representative Alvin Holmes of Alabama Democrat of Alabama State -- Thank you very much going on sir appreciate -- very much.
Well thank you -- a U did some very interesting -- suggests that legislators starting with yourself.
Be drug tested tell me what's behind -- Well -- field they've been introduced in the Alabama legislature.
In the senate and the house to require people.
But not without two be competitive.
I don't know -- built tested and people put.
But the members of the state legislature should be so.
So when the bill comes in the -- reflection of the Alabama actually -- on the substituted.
That.
That that that if I'm new to the states committed and then on the platinum and Alabama out to representatives.
Be -- one QB two deficit and there you and I took -- -- problems in the invited they've because.
And -- gonna go in the along with -- in the house and -- -- Do volunteer hours to pick productive people we require you know other people on public good system.
Two.
Take productive.
In the legislature.
-- actually.
Targeted repealed but be -- Republicans.
In -- house and senate vote voted against repeal and it will weaken a bit.
There's been.
-- from.
The air base -- eleven on the taxpayer -- just like the welfare recipients.
There's nobody is -- and they're Republicans for the people a lot of people.
-- on this book club and He won't of people in the state of Alabama.
Ultimately campaign.
It but it took control of the house and -- -- values and listen to that.
We want to take back they don't -- and then we go to people without fail -- that we have -- basic cable program.
They think that's racial code language.
There's absolutely no question about it that same -- -- -- a lot of you back in the Pacific.
That we won't stop these totally -- Please think when they tell you read German drug testing welfare recipients what they're really saying is we think a lot of blacks do drugs.
Some of that bit don't -- black dude drew him.
And then and then Begin -- check every month and we won't stop.
No I in the country more white people and assistance and black people.
The most to him in Alabama.
-- -- the the population in Alabama but I actually constitute about 28 -- -- of -- commencement of Alabama.
Four million people.
And then would the people of Korea.
-- people not like people in the state of Alabama.
But they're in the -- -- people in the state of Alabama and in the protected people of Korea black people so they use these -- actual cold.
What's it like being a Democrat in Alabama.
My -- back in the days the civil rights movement we have to fight every -- because.
The the Republicans in the state -- everything they introduce me.
-- tried to do away with rights that we -- In the sixties and in the settlement.
-- market and demonstrating in an attempt federal.
And demand about the congress of the United States and they can't pay their outlook.
Do you want it to an inflow and -- to -- -- back.
Yeah we got a state senator coming up from Ohio later tonight this about it newsletter -- to his promoting the idea drug testing.
For welfare recipients as you know Rick Scott the governor of Florida did they -- it was only 2%.
Are using.
Who tested positive and in fact it's probably gonna cost the state money.
Because the testing well.
Money and and then you could do that I've been an independent -- that.
And I was told that -- confronting.
And some.
-- -- look of the sort it is called -- saying they need to make that move.
To require members of the legislature.
Two because -- -- to advocate.
Com.
And I put substance to the Republicans came up remote gets into the middle of the legislature.
Two Arctic could -- Not.
In any great possibilities that you got some of them actually do not that there.
-- you think so -- anybody particular.
And and yeah.
They don't know let -- among -- completely competitive in the Applebee's equipment.
And but the possibility.
That they do have some concern.
Republicans.
And Democrats that might not prepared to hold up to me.
That it could be you don't wanna do.
Yeah I just one of the percentage of users of drug users might be higher in a legislator legislature than among.
A public assistance recipients.
I don't know what the cynic might be but I can -- -- in my opinion.
Is that it is that memo about money and its members of Alabama have to representatives -- -- that about memo.
Of the Alabama State and it worked do desperate in my opinion.
That you will -- -- -- comeback blog.
Let's -- -- and you think any more Republicans positive and Democrats.
You -- look at their advantage.
But.
-- what do you would be right.
So what's -- what's happening now with your bill is -- -- have been pretty.
Holy week in the governor's a -- spectacular it's -- come -- And not it will come up at that particular patent.
We -- -- what do you think its chances are for passage.
While they.
-- can be the debate that the Republicans if they can do not is because -- They need to -- to -- you know have been total market.
Republican -- that.
You know my company's contract mobile -- against that -- that -- -- -- against the public because the conservatives.
Republicans and if they -- Obama will be -- and again it's not subjecting.
To require Republicans and Democrats in a state legislature to -- -- about it.
And not -- have been.
You know -- -- you -- it bill on the night they kind of took.
That that you'll something out of legislature because of the party.
Sounds like He got them between a rock and a hard place.
I don't know what's going out we'll put -- exactly well I won't do.
So this -- this bill will be into this right.
-- no question about it.
Theater -- independent and implement out the -- benefit simultaneously.
Right now would you take the bill away and not do it if they would you agree not to test welfare recipient.
Well I'm gonna happen Clinton that span typically.
In the you -- -- not -- If you're doing.
Are subject to if you -- I mean you know.
Is that they will not let it will have been committed because they -- put -- letters as well as well.
I'd say you think.
By you doing this and the bill -- every that a commitment.
As that you -- you gonna stop single handedly.
The bill that would if passed into law test drug test welfare recipients.
The apple element seven in my opinion the Republicans are not doubling of the -- that.
Because they don't wanna be.
You got it yet don't know anything about it and I'm -- oh yeah they can't afford it don't know.
Well if they don't bring it out and reported out of committee.
It depends repealed anyway.
That was going on below the requirement of most of the state legislature to being productive but.
You have.
-- -- -- The Republican memo -- -- worry about crack cocaine -- It is in my opinion at -- -- -- about -- and some form.
We're never applied the Republican -- -- chance -- the -- in the past that right.
You're you're you're well we -- bill would not fans likely.
No do not pay from then would they know what they'll do.
-- little about it at all and and -- of -- of the subcommittee of something like that particular.
I was gonna and very creative what you're doing a representative home so I.
I appreciate -- your audience that -- -- as Ohio senator coming up who blow wanted to know drug test in his state unfortunately this is happening in too many states and they think they're gonna save money -- -- related to its cost their states money by doing this testing.
Continent big money on other things in this state of Alabama they have blown it we're going so well purposes.
Popular appeal to the people lot of people in appealed to conservatives.
Quite Republicans in this.
Now you think in other states -- the doing it's it's also racially based.
Think this is visually racially best they can -- -- don't -- about it all right sir appreciate your time tonight thank.
Because you feel you know you're you're very brilliant -- and I thought you all of interpretation -- -- this is.
-- -- -- But McCain's -- into homes -- it's -- CO Melanie -- HU Melanie has an.
Every your names easier dispel them.
Absolutely and sometimes my name is organizing the Eagles Alan calling and come down one dignity and only this is they they do you -- you don't know if fact it's clearly not among the public say they didn't talk about him.
But.
That's easy to get his confused I thank you very much sir appreciated.
Thank you mr.
Holmes Williams --
