AUSTIN (November 13, 2012)--Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are calling on the Texas Legislature to impose drug testing for welfare and unemployment-benefits recipients.

Perry and Dewhurst appeared at a rare joint event Tuesday at an Austin glass company to voice support for a bill pre-filed ahead of the upcoming 2013 legislative session that would tie welfare and unemployment benefits to drug-testing while banning using public funds to buy alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets.

It would also strengthen job-training requirements.

Perry said Texas can no longer afford to ignore "a behavior that would make it virtually impossible for someone to enter the workforce or finish school."

Dewhurst said he’s heard from a slew of businesses that turned away people they would have otherwise hired because of failed drug tests.