Drug Testing TANF

Earlier this year, Governor Rick Scott of Florida pushed for and signed into law the requirement for drug testing anyone that receives cash welfare assistance.  (Cash welfare assistance is different from food stamps and housing assistance.)

The law, which took effect on July 1, mandates that any adult that applies to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Family program will be tested for drugs by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.  The person receiving the aid would be responsible for covering the cost of the testing, estimated at $35 per test, and may be able to recoup that money in their assistance if they qualify.

So, the person that is looking to feed, clothe and house a needy child, which is the primary role for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program, must be tested, to make sure that the funds the caregiver receives do actually go towards feeding, clothing and housing a child or children?  

Well, immediately after Governor Scott made his intentions known regarding making it a law, the ACLU quickly jumped in the fray, and called the law unconstitutional; a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.  The amendment reads:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

While the ACLU has been involved in previous court hearings that were eventually struck down, Governor Scott's law is different from the previous rulings which involved employees who are mandated to undergo random drug testing due to their position.

I wonder if Governor Deval Patrick ever considered such a law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?

Well, we know that a number of people would look at Governor Patrick side-eyed, and wonder why he's "picking" on the poor.

And, I know that Governor Patrick, who stated in a Boston Globe interview that he won't seek re-election in 2014, is dealing with bigger issues, such as the 300,000 unemployed Bay State residents.  

I just hope that the next governor, whoever she or he is, doesn't waste taxpayer dollars, similar to what's taking place in Florida.

The larger issues that are facing Floridians, and the millions of people in the United States of America are the disparities that exist for education and access to resources.

I mean, why only test the TANF recipients when Governor Scott or President Obama could decide to test every person because each one of us, that lives in the USA, receives some sort of "benefit".  

Think about it for a second.  

A retired schoolteacher, that receives Medicaid could be tested, along with folks, say, living in Monson, MA, who are still dealing with the devastation from the tornado that ripped through the region in June, could also be subjected to being tested because they received federal emergency relief money, or what about the kid that has worked multiple jobs in order to save and attend college, but has to apply for students loans and grants, she/he, too, could be tested for drugs.

I'm all for every human being doing what they can to contribute to society, you know, making the world a little better.  I have little patience for "sponge cakes".  The "sponge cakes" get no love from me, but, at the same time, I'm the type of person that gives spare change to panhandlers.  Hey, I'm not all bad.

Put your affairs in order

Have you created a will or a living will? I haven't and I've been thinking about creating one. Not for any particular reason, other than knowing that when the good Lord calls me home, folks will know what "to do".

I guess you can always leave things "unfinished" or full of loose-ends, but I've been thinking more about my daughter's future and realizing that she won't have to worry about certain things.
One, for example, is Social Security. There won't be any for her because the Baby-Boomers, Generation Xers, Generation Yers and Millennials will have cleaned out the cupboards with their Regina's.


As the talk gets louder and louder about the tax cuts, health care reform and the extension of unemployment benefits, I see the writing on the wall. (Or in my case, in the mirror.)
Yes, I'm an optimist, but DAMN! The economy is more jacked-up than former Celtics small-forward, Antoine Walker, used to put up jump shots.

And, with the recent news regarding Framingham-based TJX stating that they're shutting down the A.J. Wright business, laying off 4,400 people, the picture looks more and more bleak.(I guess folks should have known something MAJOR was happening when they told top-managers to turn in their cellphones on Thursday before heading home for the day.)

So, as I reach for the telephone to contact an attorney to "draw up the papers", I can only hope that you're ahead of the curve, and already have your affairs in order?

Bear with me, I'm trying to catch-up.

Fall Foliage vs. Caribbean Foliage

Tax Free Weekend: What is it really worth?

This upcoming weekend is "tax free weekend" and I've heard a few people comment that they plan to buy those tires for their car or that new living-room furniture that they've been eyeing for sometime this weekend.  But, what is the "holiday" really worth?

We didn't have a "tax free weekend" last year (2009) and now that the state sales tax is at 6.25%, as opposed to the 5% it was in 2008, when we did have a "tax free weekend", could it have anything to do with this year being an election year?  I know, it's a rhetorical question.

Here's a BIG change to this year's "Sales Tax Holiday Weekend":

What's Different for 2010?

This year, Massachusetts residents may want to stock up on their favorite liquors and wines for the holidays, as the tax-free weekend will include alcohol sales. The 2010 Massachusetts sales tax holiday weekend includes "alcoholic beverages sold for off-premises consumption" which means you will still pay tax on the drinks you purchase with a meal in a restaurant or at your favorite local bar.


The tax exemption only applies to items purchased for personal use, not business use. Individual items must also cost $2,500 or less. 

Dead in the Water

There are hundreds of dead fish that have washed ashore in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

Word is due to the unbelievably warm summer we've experience, there  is a lack of oxygen in the water, and thus this caused many of the fish to die.

Internet Sales Tax

The specter of an online sales tax doesn't seem to be willing to go away. One of the advantages of Internet shopping is the absence of any sales tax which can amount to a decent cost saving on the average purchase, but this bargain for consumers represents lost income for States across the US that are battling to close the gap on ever-increasing budget deficits.

It is not surprising then that Democratic Congressman Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts once again raised the online sales tax bogey. He first brought the bill for consideration in 2007, but now many in Washington think that he may have better luck getting it passed in 2010. For shoppers that have gotten used to saving 5 to 10 percent by shopping at websites like Amazon, they might be getting a rude awakening.

Text while driving......Where they do that?

For the handful of folks that actually read the Worcester Is MAJOR! blog know that I'm a BIG advocate for Massachusetts banning texting while driving.  So far it looks like that day is coming and, of course, there are a number of companies that have been developing "apps" to handle your text messages while driving.

Back in November 2009, I was riding with a friend in New York City and he was using a program called Voice on the Go, which he could "speak" his text message to send it to someone, but the messed up thing was that it didn't read the replies back to him.  I thought, "You pay how much a month for this service?" It cost him an additional $6 per month.

I wonder how long it will take Google or similar start-up to corner the market and create an app that can be used on a number of cellphones and work properly?

I'm just holding out for cochlear-like cellphone that we'll be able to make calls through a voice-activated system and they'll be paired with some cool ass glasses/ sunglasses that we'll be able to read our emails and text messages right on the lenses.  Hey, don't call me crazy.  It's already being developed and I'm sure I'll see it and use it in my lifetime.

Test filled with errors

After hearing about this story, I wondered if any of the students noticed the errors and refused to complete the test? I sure would have "opted out" of taking it.

Two tests given in May to about 2,600 students contained about 100 errors combined.


The mistakes included the phrases "truning around" and "For God's skae," as well as a note on one test that read "This is the end of the Test," when there were two more pages.

Weather: The biggest snowflakes ever seen

Snowing in Worcester from Dee Wells on Vimeo.

Religion & Age

I wonder if the people at the church I grew up attending would have votes for a priest who is 23-years old? Something tells me that they wouldn't have because, as folks in the Virgin Islands say, "He ain't know nuttin' meh son."

Well, I hope that those that decide to take a "leave of absence" from Myrtle Baptist Church, warm-up to Rev. Crowley.

New Law: No Texting while Driving

I hope this law is passed and then, hopefully, we'll see a law banning holding a cellphone to your ear while driving in Massachusetts as well?

I'm tired of drivers almost running over pedestrians or slamming into my vehicle while trying to turn a corner while attempting not to drop their cellphone.

Social Media Gone Wrong

When the students at Miscoe Hill School in Mendon started a Facebook page encouraging their peers to join a Facebook fan page stating that, “If 1,000 people join I'll slap Mrs. Meyers,” referring to Miscoe Hill School Principal Ann J. Meyer.

Yes, some of the kids may have been reprimanded and even suspended, but I wonder what the larger message being sent is?

Sports: Child's Play

The incident that took place in Wilmington, Massachusetts involving a parent and football coach that landed the parent in the hospital made me think about the number of times I've seen parent "loose it" at their child's sporting event. Luckily, they never escalated to more than a shouting match, but this incident in Wilmington turned violent.

Or, how could I forget the "Green Death" girls soccer coach in Scituate, MA that was forced to resign over the email he sent to team's parents.


As the cost of higher education continues to rise, more and more parents are steering their children to play sports not for the exercise, the team work and the ability to "think on their feet", but rather to earn an athletic scholarship to play at the collegiate level. Interesting times we're living in, huh?

Weather: Burrrrrrr

It's so cold this morning that there's a thin layer of frost on the
lawn and the cars.

Is this just a preview of the weather to come this winter?

Sneaker Aficionados "Camp Out" for Kicks

Sneakers have an amazing affect on people, and an exclusive release at Concepts in Cambridge, caused sneaker aficionados to "camp-out" to buy a special pair of Nike Dunk SB (SB=Skateboarding) sneakers.

Get Your Roll On!

This Sunday, August 30th, H.O.P.E. Recordz is having their 2nd Annual Skate Fest taking place at Roll On America (Lancaster, MA).

The cost is $7.00, which includes the cost of renting skates.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the event goes until 9:30 pm.

For more information call 508-981-1070 or email hoperecordz@yahoo.com.

Health Care Reform Vacation

With all the talk these days in the media about health care reform, I
would think that most Americans, by now, would've spent the 30-minutes
to read the Cliff Notes, but such is not the case when it comes to the
saying," if you want to keep information from people, put it in
writing." (That statement used to be used when referring to Blacks &
Hispanics, but that has long changed due, in part, of the Internet.)

Now that President Obama and familia are chillin' on Martha's
Vineyard, the First Familia is getting a ration of shit for spending
$50k on the week's vaca, which they are paying out of their own
pocket, and spending time away from Washington, D.C., "When he should
be more focused on the Health Care Reform bill", as one Fox News
reporter stated so emphatically this morning.

Well, I think it's good that the Obamas are able to get out of the
Nation's Capital for a bit, especially for the Obama girls.

Maybe the sea air and change of scenery will help President Obama deal
with which side of the coin he's going to play towards this week: the
Conservatives or the Liberals? I know, Obama would probably argue
that, yes, a coin does have 2-sides! But my response is and will be,
you can't please everyone all the time!

So, as the Obama familia chills on MV, I have to wonder if police
officer James Crowley & Henry Louis Gates, Jr. are going to have
that,"iced tea or Kool-Aid" sometime this week? We'll keep you posted
on WIM!

Buildings in The WoO

I've walked by this building at least 50 times and never noticed that
it was a school with separate "Boys" and "Girls" entrances on either
side of this sign.

I wonder if anyone knows the history of this school and when it "closed" as a school?

Please feel free to post your comments or send us an email to WorcesterIsMAJOR@gmail.com.

DiMasi to be indicted

Former Massachusetts House speaker Salvatore DiMasi & three associates
are to be indicted today.

Press conference scheduled for 3:30 pm today per the Justice Department!

More information available at www.Boston.com.

How to market Worcester

Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm!