Watchdog.org is a collection of independent journalists covering state-specific and local government activity.
Our established investigative journalists and capitol news reporters across the country are doing what legacy journalism outlets prove unable to do: share information, dive deep into investigations, and provide the fourth estate that has begun to fade in recent decades.
CHILD PROTECTION: After the Sandy Hook tragedy, some schools turned to hire retired police officers to guard public school students. The measure is controversial for a police union, however it seems to be cost-effective for schools.
INTERNET TAX BAN: The House of Representatives passed a permanent ban on state and local governments taxing Internet access.
SIGN HERE: Hawaii Health Connector sign ups improved Hawaii’s uninsured rate by 2.75 percent at a cost of $204 million, study shows
NO LIMITS: After Citizens United, states and the federal government can no longer limit campaign contributions from unions, corporations or individuals. But some Democrats in Congress are trying to change the Constitution to make such limits possible again.
PAINT IT BLACK: The state Government Accountability Board has asked a judge to black out portions of the agency’s response to a state lawsuit involving the politically charged John Doe investigation. That request may not stand for long, a source tells Wisconsin Reporter.
BUH-BYE, IRS: Former Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson calls for replacing income and corporate taxes with a single consumption tax.
EXHIBIT A: Solyndra may be the most egregious example of political lobbying doing nothing for companies and investors but fattening the wallets of executives, according to a new study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
TACKLING THE FEDS: Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, is leading a charge to get info from the feds on the whereabouts of 7,000 illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in the county since 2008.
A CHURCH LITERALLY DIVIDED: Mistaken assumptions, bureaucratic screw-ups and language problems have led to the rear half of a Muscatine church being sold for unpaid property taxes.
CONNECTED: Documents suggest John Doe prosecutors were engaged in a wide sweep of the ISPs of conservative targets. Is it a case of the little NSA in the Badger State?
PUSHING BACK: U.S. Sen Brian Schatz is among several Senate Democrats trying to counter the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Hobby Lobby case.
PUSH BACK: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is leading efforts to reassert Justice Department authority of state election laws.
PEACHY KEEN?: Mitcham told Watchdog the federal regulations have also forced him to downsize his business from 60 employees to 20
IT AIN’T OVER: Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel isn’t giving up the fight, alleging thousands of votes were cast illegally during the June 24 GOP runoff contest with incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.
STOP: Protesters in Vassar, Mich., aren’t excited about plans to relocate some of the illegal immigrants crossing the nation’s southern border their tiny town.
HAMMERED: Outgoing Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti’s hard drive was destroyed after he lost a tough re-election bid, an internal affairs audit reveals.
A GOOD DEAL FOR WHO? Iowa politicians support the Renewable Fuel Standard, since it helps both the state’s ethanol industry and corn growers. But a new report from the CBO predicts prices at the pump will jump if no changes are made to the RFS.
SIGN OF THE TIMES?: Most everyone approves of term limits (with the exception of incumbent politicians), but voters continue to elect the same people. What’s the disconnect?
ERROR RATE: Even if Florida has the second lowest error rate in the nation for food stamps accuracy, it means the DCF misused $47 millions from the taxpayers dollars.