Our Watchdogs around the country have been busy.

Kathy Hoekstra of Michigan’s respected Mackinac Center (pictured) gives this video report on their lawsuit to force the state to release information about withholding union dues from the wages of home dare care providers.

Day Care in Wonderland from Mackinac Center on Vimeo.

Texas Watchdog’s Steve Miller reports how contributions to the Republican Party in Harris County have not been reported. So much for the criticism that the Watchdog network only digs into misconduct by Democrats. (Texas Watchdog is an independent non-profit organization that provides training to the Watchdog news sites. It is not affiliated with the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity).

Joe Jordan at Nebraska Watchdog reports that while utility bills are going up, so are perks at the state’s public utility companies. Santa has come early for a few, well-placed employees at the state’s energy monopolies.

Paige Winfield at Virginia Watchdog parses Gov. Tim Kaine’s budget cuts and finds the state activity getting hardest hit is public safety. Let’s hope Bill Richardson and Tim Kaine don’t talk much.

Steve Allen Adams, the award-winning reporter behind West Virginia Watchdog, reveals how an on-going Department of Justice investigation into the activities of West Virginia’s Congressman Alan Mollohan is scaring off financial backers.

Lynn Walsh at Ohio Watchdog finds more screw-ups in the recovery.gov reporting on how the federal stimulus funds are being spent in Ohio. Apparently, it’s all the Internet’s fault.