Pubdate: Fri, 09 Feb 2001
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2001, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm
Section: Florida Metro, Page 6
Author: Joe Follick, The Tampa Tribune

BAXLEY BILL ASKS LAWMAKERS TO VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT TO DRUG TEST

State lawmakers, already grappling with such issues as a nursing home 
crisis and electric deregulation, could find themselves faced by a new test.

Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, a freshman lawmaker, wants all 160 members of 
the Legislature to volunteer to take drug tests.

Baxley is the sponsor of House Bill 329, which calls for the voluntary 
testing and stipulates that the test results be kept private. The names of 
lawmakers who declined to undergo the tests, however, would be made public.

Counseling would be offered to those lawmakers that fail the drug tests, 
Baxley said Thursday.

The bill notes that the Legislature "should not expect more of the citizens 
of this state under the drug-free workplace program than the Legislature 
expects of its own membership.''

Baxley said he owns an Ocala funeral home, where drug testing of employees 
is required.

"It's hypocritical of me to ask others to drug test and yet the Legislature 
doesn't set the example of doing the same thing,'' he said.

While the Legislature has supported drug testing of public and 
private-sector employees, they have rejected similar attempts in the past 
to require that they also submit to drug tests. And Baxley is uncertain his 
bill will succeed where others have failed.

He said his fellow lawmakers have been silent on the proposal and he has 
yet to find someone in the Senate to sponsor the needed companion 
legislation in that chamber.

"The biggest problem I'm having is finding a senator who will stick his 
head up,'' he said. "It surprises me it's as controversial as it is.''

Kim Stone, spokeswoman for House Speaker Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, said the 
speaker supports the concept but can't commit to the bill until he gives it 
a fuller reading.

"Certainly, he's for anything that would maximize public confidence in 
legislators,'' Stone said.

Christina Johnson, spokeswoman for Senate President John McKay, R- 
Bradenton, said McKay hadn't seen the proposed legislation and could not 
comment.

The Legislature convenes March 6, but is considering now which bills to 
take up. Baxley's bill is not yet on that list.
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