Wisconsin representative proposes drug screening for wealthy taxpayers

Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, introduced tax legislation to Congress this week in an effort to achieve a little equity in treatment between rich and poor in the U.S.

The so-called "Top 1% Accountability Act" would require Americans filing more than $150,000 in itemized tax deductions to pass a drug test prior to receiving federal money. This legislation, according to press secretary Eric Harris, aims to counter the mischaracterizing welfare narrative recently cultivated by fellow Wisconsinites.

Congresswoman Moore said in a press release, "It is my sincere hope that my bill will help eradicate the stigma associated with poverty and engage the American public in a substantive dialogue regarding the struggles of working- and middle-class families."

Specifically, the "Top 1% Accountability Act" would primarily affect those who bring in between $500,000 and $2.1 million in annual income, Harris says, and "would have no effect on working families."

However, in December, the governor of Moore's state, Scott Walker, passed legislation forcing applicants of Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF) - also known as welfare--to answer questions about their use of controlled substances. He also sued the federal government in July 2015 because it prevented him from requiring food stamp recipients to undergo drug screenings.

Another fellow Wisconsinite drew Harris' ire, too -- she says House Speaker Ryan's recent unveiling of his new poverty plan in front of a drug rehab facility in a poorer D.C. neighborhood was "the straw that broke the camel's back."

Rep. Moore said, "As I've said time and time again, the notion that those battling poverty are somehow more susceptible to substance abuse is absurd as it is offensive."

Wisconsin isn't the only state attempting to implement drug testing programs for welfare participants. In 2015, at least 18 states introduced drug screening measures, while 13 states enacted bills legally permitting them to drug test those on welfare. Generally, proponents argue that such provisions ultimately save the state money by removing drug users from its streets and enrolling them into treatment programs.

For Congresswoman Moore, welfare is a unique issue that hits close to home: she herself depended on it to put herself through college when she was a single expectant mother.

As a result, Harris says she intends to move forward enthusiastically, and to welcome dissent -- so as long people are engaged in what she sees as a meaningful conversation to change the tone about a frequently stigmatized program.