By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — In the search to find the biggest job creator in Florida, residents should look no further than themselves — or rather, their government. The single largest employer in 51 of 67 Florida counties is the public sector, including members of the military, librarians, college professors, prison guards, administrators […]
OSSOWSKI: Debate on student loan interests rates misses point
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — For the millennial generation, the attainment of a college degree has always been perceived as the key to the middle class. Just borrow enough to put yourself through school, they were told, and the benefits of higher education will promise fruitful employment and success. But increasingly, that […]
Influence, earmarks persist in FL senator’s term
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — As a powerful member of the Senate Commerce, Finance and Intelligence committees and the former state treasurer of Florida, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is no stranger to the intricacies of backroom politics. With 40 years of successive public service in Tallahassee and onCapitol Hill, the senator has garnered a reputation as a staunch […]
Establishment faces off in FL’s 22nd District
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — More than four months remain until the primaries for the Republican and Democratic parties in Florida, but the parties have decided on their candidates for the 22nd Congressional District. In the race to replace GOP U.S. Rep. Allen West, who is seeking election in the newly drawn 18th District, the […]
Voter fraud in FL? Lawmakers feel vindicated
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — After a litany of civil lawsuits and scrutiny from the federal government, it seems Florida’s Legislature may be vindicated in its efforts to combat voter fraud. At least three Florida counties are investigating cases of registered voters who do not have legal citizenship status, adding support to […]
Ron Paul delegation vows to be a force in Tampa
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — For Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus and much of the news media, the presidential nomination process is wrapped up. The much-televised reality show and political horse race has crowned former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the party’s “presumptive nominee,” amounting to a “complete merger wherein the RNC (which) is […]
Scott on CNBC: Florida really is the place to do business
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TALLAHASSEE– Florida Gov. Rick Scott took to CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Friday morning, seizing the opportunity to tout the latest job numbers in the state. He received praise from interviewer Joe Kernen on taxes and regulations, and even criticized President Barack Obama’s narrow focus on student loan interest rates. “People want a job, and that’s […]
FL Supreme Court grants new district boundaires
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — After striking down a previous plan drawn up by state Senate lawmakers in February, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously approved a new map Friday morning, defining the political districts for legislators ahead of state elections this fall. The issue stems from the first lawsuit filed by groups such as […]
Court strikes down drug testing for FL state workers
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — Florida Gov. Rick Scott was dealt a blow Thursday morning when a federal judge declared unconstitutional mandatory drug screening for state employees. The ruling, handed down by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro in the Southern District of Florida, issues a permanent injunction on the drug tests, which were required by an executive order in March 2011. “The executive order does […]
Connie Mack IV, FL’s not-so-inevitable Senate candidate
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — The past few months haven’t been kind to the fourth-generation Cornelius Harvey McGillicuddy. The four-term Fort Myers Republican congressman, better known as Connie Mack IV, was once considered the conservative favorite in the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson. But fresh questions about the congressman’s […]