la liberté avant tout
TALLAHASSEE — Unmanned surveillance drones may be preparing to lift off across the nation, but Florida may be spared from such a fate after all. At least that’s the assessment of state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Port St. Lucie, who successfully brought forth a billto limit the authority of law enforcement agencies to use drones in the Sunshine State. BAN…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog LESS FREE: More laws, regulations and taxes are set to leave life tougher for Floridians this year. ST. PETERSBURG — If there was ever anything that needed a New Year’s resolution in 2013, it’s the stake of freedom in the Sunshine State. Things aren’t looking too good for Florida with officials…
I was invited on the Susan Nilon Report on 08. Jan. 2013, broadcast on 106.0FM WSRQin Sarasota, FL, to discuss recent legislation passed by the Congress. DOWNLOAD HERE The topic is warantless wiretapping and the renewal of the FISA act, the future of government surveillance, the Fourth Amendment, corporate subsidies, and more. Here is the…
I was invited on the Marc Bernier Show, broadcast on 1150 WNDB in Daytona Beach, FL to discuss the renewal of FISA, warantless wiretapping, and the future of government surveillance in America. DOWNLOAD HERE The interview was conducted on 09. Jan, 2013. Here is the article mentioned in the interview.
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — Citrus products and airplane parts may be the most well-known exports from the state of Florida, but if 2012 is any indiciation, political corruption may overtake both in the new year. BFF: Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, right, got a campaign boost from his pal U.S. Sen….
My article on Disney was reprinted on Reason Magazine. Generations of children and adults worldwide have grown up on Walt Disney comics and movies featuring Mickey Mouse and thousands of other characters, visited the sprawling and magical theme parks in Florida and California, and played with toys and games brandishing the familiar Disney logo. But despite…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — Since his first appearance in the 1928 animated short “Steamboat Willy,” there has been no greater American ambassador than Mickey Mouse, the cartoon character who sparked the launch of the media empire of the Walt Disney Co. STAR: Mickey Mouse is the most famous cartoon character created by…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ORLANDO — Debts, deficits and doom were recurring themes during the New Year’s Day negotiations to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” but lost among the headlines was the extension of sweeping and expansive surveillance powers granted to the nation’s intelligence agencies during the Bush years. EAR ON YOU: The NSA…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — It’s only once in a blue moon that Democratic and Republican politicians can come to mutual understanding on Capitol Hill, but just this once, Sen. Bill Nelson hopes they’ll put differences aside and strive for the moon. Earth’s Moon, that is. CRASH: Nelson’s bill to help prop up NASA…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — Free speech is a great idea, but it doesn’t extend to military funeral protesters and political smear campaigns. That’s the attitude of several Florida state lawmakers throwing their weight behind a pair of bills, each establishing restrictions on speech that could be considered either harmful or…
The same companies which supplied the voting machines for the troublesome 2000 presidential election are continuing to sell machines across the country. Not only that, but millions in taxpayer dollars are stilled owed by counties across the state who were required to toss the old machines. Florida Watchdog is on the case.
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog PUBLIC HELP: Scott says government partnerships have helped thousands of jobs across the state. ST. PETERSBURG — Jobs numbers are growing, public debt is under control and Gov. Rick Scott is making sure the government can claim the credit. Since Dec. 2010, unemployment in Florida has dropped faster than all other…
Another article of mine was reprinted on Reason’s website, this time on Michigan passing “right-to-work” legislation. Reason is a libertarian magazine that features great commentary and analysis on the pressing issues of our day. Enjoy: Yaël Ossowski | Dec. 11, 2012 2:55 pm Overcoming the large crowds that have descended upon the capital, Michigan House members approved legislation allowing…
As right-to-work laws are adopted in Michigan, we look back at the history of their inception, beginning with the National Labor Relations Act in 1935, giving unions formidable power in their negociations with employers.
IT’S THE LAW: Gov. Rick Snyder, right, speaks as Lt. Gov. Brian Calley listens Tuesday at a news conference in Lansing, Mich., after signing the right-to-work law. (AP photo) By Yaël Ossowski | Watchdog.org LANSING, Michigan — Ending the battle as easily as it began, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed into law “right-to-work” measures that…
EN MASSE: Thousands of demonstrators gather Tuesday outside the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., protesting a right-to-work vote. (AP photo) By Yaël Ossowski | Watchdog.org LANSING — Overcoming the large crowds that have descended upon the capital, Michigan House members approved legislation allowing workers to freely decide whether they wish to pay union dues as a…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog RUSH: In the final days of the congressional session, representatives are pushing for bills and resolutions to be passed. ST. PETERSBURG — In the final days of the lame-duck session of the 112th Congress, when most eyes have averted to the impending realities of the so-called “fiscal cliff,” Florida’s…
A piece from Florida Watchdog’s Yaël Ossowski prompted Orlando’s WESH TV to press Gov. Rick Scott on an overseas trip, and questions of crony capitalism. PART ONE PART TWO Florida Watchdog prompts crony capitalism questions of @flgovrickscott yael.es/UpXEWT! #sayfie — Yaël (@YaelOss) December 6, 2012
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — The nation’s largest military contractors may be doing everything they can to warn Floridians of impending doom coming in the form of military-spending cuts, but newly announced defense contracts may leave their claims falling on deaf ears. DOOM: Military contractors warn of coming defense cuts, but…
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog CLEARWATER — The world’s freest marketplace is set to become the next playground for Florida’s tax collectors. Come 2013, the Sunshine State could find itself with an Internet sales tax, thanks to a bill put forward by state Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami, on Monday. Margolis did not return calls to Florida Watchdog, but she told Jacksonville…