Governor Rick Scott to appeal drug testing injunction

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Governor Rick Scott is challenging an injunction by a federal judge that halted the random drug testing of welfare recipients last month. The state began testing people who receive state cash assistance in July.

The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit saying the tests violate the fourth amendment which protects citizens from unwarranted searches by the government.

Last month, a federal judge decided the ACLU had a good chance of winning the case and ordered an injunction putting the testing on hold. Governor Rick Scott says the judge is wrong.

“I completely disagree, it was the wrong decision, that money is supposed to be for the benefit of children and there’s no way that’s not constitutional,” said Scott.

If Scott wins the appeal, the Department of Children and Families can resume its tests. So far just 2% of the welfare recipients have failed. Another 2% never showed up to take the test.