Two Alabama senators are finding support for bills aimed at toughening the rules for welfare benefits, including requiring drug testing of some welfare applicants.
The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability Committee overwhelmingly approved four bills Wednesday that are sponsored by Republican Sens. Trip Pittman of Daphne and Arthur Orr of Decatur.
Pittman's bill provides drug testing for welfare applicants who have had a misdemeanor or felony drug conviction in the last five years. Orr's bills strengthen the penalties for lying to get welfare benefits, require applicants for welfare to have applied for three jobs, and prohibit liquor stores, bars, tattoo parlors and strip clubs from taking the electronic cards that are used for welfare benefits.
The bills now go to the Senate for consideration.