Government – Page 116 – Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

Unconventional Negotiations Between Republicans and Hoteliers in Tampa

November 2, 2011

Ralph De La Cruz: Despite signed contracts, the people putting on the Republican National Convention in Tampa are demanding reduced rates and increases in fees to convention organizers from hotels.

In Lake County, Whizzing Bullets From New State Law

October 31, 2011

Ralph De La Cruz: A new state law has local governments reversing gun ordinances and cops afraid to confront one trigger-happy resident.

Florida’s Jobs Shell Game

October 26, 2011

Ralph De La Cruz: The business incentive program that was supposed to bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to Florida over the past 16 years only created a third of the promised jobs.

State Senator’s Comments Highlight Controversial Redistricting Process

October 24, 2011

Ralph De La Cruz: State Sen. Alan Hays said in a Senate Reapportionment Committee meeting that Florida needs to make certain Hispanics are citizens because "many Hispanic-speaking people in Florida are not legal."

Report: Secure Communities Encourages Racial Profiling, Lack of Due Process

October 20, 2011

Ralph De La Cruz: Mirroring an FCIR analysis from January, a report released Wednesday found that Secure Communities often deports non-criminals and disproportionately detains Latinos. Even U.S. citizens have been arrested.

Florida Bank, Used as ATM by Insiders, Won TARP Loan But Now Teeters

October 19, 2011

ProPublica: U.S. Century Bank had very high rates of insider loans and other red flags, yet got a $50.2 million TARP loan. Now that taxpayer money may be lost as the bank stumbles under heavy losses.