(KCEN) -- Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are calling on the Texas legislature to impose drug testing for welfare and unemployment-benefits recipients.
The pair appeared at a rare joint event at an Austin glass company on Tuesday to cheer a bill pre-filed ahead of the upcoming 2013 legislative session.
The measure would tie welfare and unemployment benefits to drug testing while banning using public funds to buy alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets.
Perry said, "I am calling on the Texas legislature to enact reforms that include authorizing the use of drug screening for TANF and unemployment benefit recipients. In the case of TANF recipients, this will help prevent tax dollars going into the pockets of drug abusers or drug dealers."
The legislation would also strengthen job training requirements.
