R.I. Rep. Charlene Lima takes umbrage at Pants on Fire ruling

State Rep. Charlene Lima, one of the Rhode Island’s General Assembly’s more colorful members, is not shy about expressing her opinion on matters legislative and otherwise.

On June 19, 2013, the Cranston Democrat took to the floor of the House of Representatives to complain about a Pants on Fire ruling she received from PolitiFact Rhode Island for claiming — in jest, she later said — that Rhode Islanders don’t have to pay income tax.

What followed was a true Rhode Island exchange that veered from politics to beauty pageants to long-held grudges. Even PolitiFact’s “Pants on Fire” button makes a cameo appearance.

For the record, PolitiFact Rhode Island has fact-checked 51 claims from 35 state representatives and senators. Their scorecard: True: 11. Mostly True: 5. Half True: 11. Mostly False: 5. False: 12. Pants on Fire: 7.

Lima’s record? True: 1. Pants on Fire: 1.