RUMORS OF CYBER WAR: President Obama’s State of the Union Address included this hidden stock tip: invest in cyber-security companies with government contracts. By Yaël Ossowski | Special to Watchdog.org WASHINGTON, D.C— Speaking to the nation during his 2013 State of the Union address in February, President Barack Obama used the spotlight to warn of the growing […]
Rubio would ramp up use of national employment database
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — As Florida’s U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio basks in the political limelight as the newly anointed ’savior’ of the Republican Party, all eyes are on his bipartisan immigration proposal released last week. THE SAVIOR? Sen. Marco Rubio’s plan would mandate use of a federal database to certify the immigration status of workers. The […]
Florida governor’s budget boosts cash for corporate welfare
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — If Gov. Rick Scott has his way, Floridians will be paying a little more for their government this year. Just over $4.2 billion more, to be exact. FIRST MOVE: Scott proposes $4.2 billion in increased spending in 2013. (photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr) That’s the final figure […]
Florida a nationwide leader…in banning drones
Never shy to top the charts, the state of Florida has ganered a unique reputation for its diverse culture and eccentric ways. And according to the American Civil Liberties Union, it deserves praise once more: for being the first to consider banning surveillance drones in the sky. LEADER: Florida is the first state to address regulating surveillance […]
Florida Democrats looking to alter ‘Stand Your Ground’
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — After a failed state task force and dwindling public support, South Florida Democrats are proposing their own changes to the controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, introducing a bill placing narrow constraints on how people justify shootings against would-be attackers and home invaders. REPEAL YOUR GROUND: Stafford […]
Lawmaker slams red-light cameras as ‘scam on the poor people’
By Yael Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG – Red-light cameras are nothing more than a money-making scheme aimed at the poor, state Sen. Daphne Campbell says. The cameras have nothing to do with actual safety at intersections, the Miami Democrat said. FREEZE: Campbell is challenging red-light cameras because she says they are illegal and […]
Harassed Miami photographer filing lawsuit against government
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — When private security guards working for the Metrorail system in Miami stopped photographer Carlos Miller last Sunday night for taking pictures, they had no idea they’d be brewing a storm. HEY CITIZEN: Miller was forcibly detained by private Metrorail security guards for filming on the public transit system. After Miller was forcibly tackled […]
Meet the Florida congressman who wants your guns
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog ST. PETERSBURG — One of Florida’s progressive heavyweights is out to collect the guns of Americans. But for a fair price, of course. GET ‘EM: Deutch is determined to start a national program to buyback the firearms of Americans. That’s the aim of U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Democrat from Florida’s […]
Nation’s top drug enforcer — and abuser — out to ban even more
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TALLAHASSEE — Florida is undergoing a drug epidemic and it needs more funding and laws to help starve the beast of use and abuse. DOSED: Florida bans more drugs than the entire federal government. That was the message Wednesday at the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, which upheld the emergency substance ban oncertain […]
Amateur hour starts again in Tallahassee
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TALLAHASSEE — The state’s capital city is bustling this week, as another semester begins and piles of paperwork are handed out on the first day. LAW TIME: State legislators are in Tallahassee to prep the agenda for the upcoming session. After spending time with family and members of the […]