Rep. Melvin Henley sponsored one of two twin bills to cut welfare benefits for drug abusers in 2008.
He said today he is reworking the bill for 2009. Constitutional issues with the original bill would be addressed by requiring a show of probable cause before attempting to strip away public assistance. Rep. Henley said he wanted to set up a pilot project someplace in the state so policymakers could see what happens.
"There is not enough money to support these people who want to take what we give them and spend it on drugs," Henley said.
Rep. Lonnie Napier, the sponsor of the other twin bill, was not immediately available for comment. Napier's bill had thirty co-sponsors in the House.
