Latest Fact-Checks In City Government

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Bob Ryan
Bob Ryan
stated on August 15, 2011 a city council meeting
Outside of recall elections, "there's never been a public official removed from office" in Wisconsin "for anything but malfeasance in office."
Mostly True
August 21, 2011
Stephen Lisauskas
Stephen Lisauskas
stated on July 19, 2011 a public meeting
Thirty-seven percent of Central Falls’ retired police officers and firefighters are out on disability pensions; in most municipalities, about 5 percent of retirees collect disability pensions.
False
By Lynn Arditi • August 18, 2011
Better Austin Today
Better Austin Today
stated on June 18, 2011 a campaign mailer.
Says that under City Council Member Randi Shade, Austin had the "highest city debt per person in Texas."
False
By W. Gardner Selby • July 6, 2011
Paul Doughty
Paul Doughty
stated on June 12, 2011 an appearance on WPRI's "Newsmakers.
"Providence is one of the busiest fire departments for its relative size in the country."
True
By C. Eugene Emery Jr. • June 24, 2011
Robin Vos
Robin Vos
stated on June 2, 2011 a statement at a committee meeting
Milwaukee’s police chief can fire officers "for basically no cause."
False
By James B. Nelson • June 16, 2011
Kathie Tovo
Kathie Tovo
stated on April 29, 2011 a TV ad.
Says the Austin City Council "may give $4 million a year to subsidize a race track."
Mostly True
By W. Gardner Selby • June 12, 2011
Randi Shade
Randi Shade
stated on May 18, 2011 a campaign mailer.
Says opponent Kathie Tovo "believes that Austin invests too much in the cops, firefighters and paramedics that protect our families and neighborhoods."
Mostly True
By W. Gardner Selby • June 11, 2011
Randi Shade
Randi Shade
stated on May 19, 2011 a statement.
Says that several times in the last 15 years, Austin City Council candidates have won seats after trailing by more than 4,000 votes in the election prompting the runoff.  
Half-True
By W. Gardner Selby • May 26, 2011
Randi Shade
Randi Shade
stated on May 17, 2011 a press release.
"The turnout on May 14th was just 7 percent -- the lowest turnout in decades."
Mostly True
By W. Gardner Selby • May 23, 2011
Kathie Tovo
Kathie Tovo
stated on May 1, 2011 “Voters Guide,” League of Women Voters of the Austin Area.
"Austin Energy is considering its first rate increase since 1994."
Mostly True
By W. Gardner Selby • May 10, 2011
Kathie Tovo
Kathie Tovo
stated on May 2, 2011 campaign mailers.
Says one of Austin City Council Member Randi Shade’s biggest contributors is the lobbyist for the Formula 1 racetrack planned outside Austin.  
Mostly False
By W. Gardner Selby • May 6, 2011
Ed Garvey
Ed Garvey
stated on April 14, 2011 a blog posting
Says he has exposed plans by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to push legislation that would allow the state to declare financial martial law and take over municipal governments.
False
By James B. Nelson • May 5, 2011
David Cicilline
David Cicilline
stated on March 4, 2011 newspaper interview
"When I took office in 2003, we had very little reserves."
Mostly False
By Edward Fitzpatrick • March 20, 2011
Lee Leffingwell
Lee Leffingwell
stated on February 25, 2011 State of the City address.
Says four-year terms for City Council members are "the norm in most cities of our size."  
True
By W. Gardner Selby • March 13, 2011
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