State Rep. Bart Korman believes strongly in the principle that you should lead by example. The Republican from High Hill says when it comes to the issue of ensuring that taxpayers’ money is not helping fund illegal drugs, lawmakers need to take the lead. To prove he is drug free, the freshman 99th District state representative took a drug test last month which he passed. He shared his results during a Jan. 27 debate on the House floor in support of a bill that would implement drug testing for welfare recipients suspected of using drugs. Under the bill, in which Korman is a cosponsor, people who fail the drug test would lose their benefits under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for one year. The bill’s supporters said taxpayers do not want people using welfare money to purchase drugs. “A lot of people are concerned that their hard-earned tax dollars are supporting a drug habit,” Korman told The Record. “If they need assistance to help their families, they shouldn’t be using drugs.” Korman said the test cost him $35 and took less than 30 minutes of his time. He pointed out the urine test was painless and required no needles. His decision to be drug tested was voluntarily. Drug tests are not mandatory for state-elected officials. Korman took a urine test Jan. 14 at the Global Drug Testing Service facility, located on Armory Road in Warrenton. He was tested for amphetamines, benzodiazapine, cocaine, opiates and THC. “I work for the taxpayers,” Korman said. “I didn’t want to be held to different standards.” Korman said the bill could help reduce the number of people on drugs by providing an incentive to get clean. On the other hand, it could serve as a reprimand for ones who ignore the proposal should it become a law. The bill would allow drug tests to be given to individuals who the Department of Social Services had reasonable suspicions to believe engage in the illegal use of controlled substances. The children of parents who fail drug tests will continue to receive their share of the benefits. The benefits would be given to a third party who would use the money to care for the child. Supporters said that would protect children from drug addict parents and would give parents an incentive to overcome their addiction. “We want to help families in need, but we need to make certain our tax dollars are going for vital items such as food and shelter and not for the purchase of illegal drugs,” Korman said. Korman was one of 121 state representatives Jan. 27 to vote in favor of the bill (HB-73), while 37 were opposed. A second vote was taken Jan. 31 where the bill passed 116-27. The bill will now be sent to the Senate, which has a similar version. Korman said the bill doesn’t specify requirements such as the type of drug sample that must be taken and only sets guidelines for testing to give the Department of Social Services some flexibility in implementing the proposed program. About 43,700 families, totaling about 112,000 people receive TANF benefits each month in Missouri, according to a fiscal estimate included in the bill. Korman said he was unaware of how widespread drug use is for welfare recipients, but noted a problem does exist, whether or not families receive state assistance. The expense of the drug tests has been disputed by lawmakers. Analysts on the legislative staff estimate the program would cost the state about $2 million a year. But the bill’s sponsor, Ellen Brandon (R-Sikeston) said she thinks it would only cost about $500,000. The Associated Press contributed to this story.