By Marianela Toledo and Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — Reacting to the news that Miami-Dade County wants to use accused criminals for manual labor in return for paying off debts, lawyers across the state say such a program could be rule unconstitutional. The proposed ordinance aims to save taxpayer dollars by offering “pretrial detainees” the option of cleaning roads, […]
Video: RNC spoils help bolster Tampa’s surveillance state
While most of the RNC convention goers have long since left Tampa Bay, the millions of dollars in security costs awarded to local police departments have stayed put, engendering a new kind of technological surveillance state never before seen by Florida residents. Read more: Florida Watchdog
FL: Alan Grayson gives flawed lesson on Walmart economics
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — Taking his victory lap on the heels of his return to the U.S. House after losing two years prior, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson staged his first public spectacle against the retail giant Walmart over the Thanksgiving holiday. Grayson, a Florida Democrat, made Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday appearances at stores in St. Cloud and Orlando, handing workers turkey sandwiches and encouraging them […]
FL: Convention spoils help bolster Tampa’s surveillance state
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — A vast network of surveillance cameras, armored trucks with weapons mounting capabilities and state-of-the-art bulletproof vests strong enough to withstand high-caliber rounds. Those are just a few of the spoils enjoyed by the Tampa Police Department during the highly anticipated Republican National Convention, which occupied the city from Aug.27-30 […]
Article on Reason.com: Florida Weighs Corporate Welfare for New Sports Stadium
Another article of mine was reprinted on Reason’s website, detailing the push for Tampa Bay taxpayers to pick up the tab for a new baseball stadium. Reason is a libertarian magazine that features great commentary and analysis on the pressing issues of our day. Enjoy: Whether or not they’re fans of baseball, residents in Tampa and St. […]
FL: Chambers of commerce want taxpayers to foot bill for new Tampa baseball stadium
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — Whether or not they’re fans of baseball, residents in Tampa and St. Petersburg have the opportunity of a lifetime to become investors of the future of America’s pastime. They’ve been told to imagine a sprawling ballpark with a retractable roof, enviable seating capacity and a prime location in Tampa that […]
Article on Reason.com: Florida Officials Seek to Ban Cell Phone Use in Cars and Public Meetings
Unbeknownst to me, an article I wrote was reprinted on Reason’s website, detailing the creeping efforts of Florida public officials to make ban cell phones in cars and public meetings. Reason is a libertarian magazine that features great commentary and analysis on the pressing issues of our day. Enjoy: To ban or not to ban, […]
FL: A ‘pro-business’ legislature isn’t necessarily pro-market
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — As Florida’s state lawmakers head back to Tallahassee this week to begin committee sessions that will largely determine the Legislature’s agenda for next year, all eyes are on House Speaker Will Weatherford. The 32 year old Republican businessman will be sworn in on Tuesday as the first House speaker […]
Investigative Journalism Presentation at Citizen Watchdog Training
This video of me speaking somehow found its way onto the Internet this week. It is my presentation on investigative journalism at the Franklin Center Citizen Watchdog Training Event, sponsored by the Florida Chapter of Americans for Prosperity in Boca Raton on 28. July, 2012. Enjoy.
FL: Florida officials aim to outlaw cell phones at wheel, public meetings
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG ─ To ban or not to ban, that is the question. Throughout the state of Florida, lawmakers and citizens’ groups are casting their ire on cell phones, demanding the government step in and ensure safety and transparency in one fell swoop. In one case is a proposal to […]