Politics
Politics

Georgia considers response to fed warning on food stamp drug tests

By
June 4, 2014

Georgia officials are considering the next steps after federal officials told Georgia Tuesday not to begin drug testing people who use food stamps.

The federal Food and Nutrition Service warned Georgia’s chief of human services in a letter that implementing the law on July 1 would violate federal rules. The law’s author, though, said he thinks it’s legal and vowed to “see them in court” if the feds try to halt the changes.

Find out more about the debate over Georgia's one-of-a-kind law at myajc.com.

About the Author

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.

Follow Greg Bluestein on facebookFollow Greg Bluestein on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) shown in the Senate chambers on day 18 of the Georgia Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Crowded field vies for metro Senate seat in Nov. 18 special election

Six candidates are vying to complete the Senate term being vacated by former state Sen. Jason Esteves. The special election is Nov. 18.

Georgia Democrats decry House vote to reopen federal government

The U.S. House has signed off on a funding bill that will end the government shutdown but all Georgia Democrats were opposed.

OPINION

History made clear this shutdown wasn’t going to work

Democrats failed to force action on their central issue, but seem to have succeeded in thrusting the issue of health insurance affordability squarely before voters.

The Latest

Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) shown in the Senate chambers on day 18 of the Georgia Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Crowded field vies for metro Senate seat in Nov. 18 special election

Georgia Democrats decry House vote to reopen federal government

State Election Board settles records lawsuit brought by watchdog group

Featured

University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

UGA to pay $100K H-1B visa fee only ‘in exceptional circumstances’

The University of Georgia could soon limit the number of foreign workers it employs, a result of the $100,000 fee imposed on some H-1B visas.

Georgia judges deal blow to ICE’s new mandatory detention policy

The ruling is a first-of-its-kind to come out of Georgia’s Middle District.

At the Cobb jail, a new kind of rehabilitation starts at the horse barn

Joshua Arp is one of two Cobb County jail detainees taking part of the sheriff’s office new equine therapy program meant to help him stay out of jail.