Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

$

Latest Fact-Checks In State Budget

Clear
Tom Niehaus
Tom Niehaus
stated on February 23, 2011 interviews with reporters
"Unfortunately we have documented instances where people defecated in the (Statehouse) building."
Pants on Fire!
By Reginald Fields • March 1, 2011
Gina Raimondo
Gina Raimondo
stated on February 18, 2011 a radio interview
The law has not established whether Rhode Island public employees have property rights to their pensions.
True
By Peter Lord • February 27, 2011
Ed Garvey
Ed Garvey
stated on February 21, 2011 a newspaper column and blog post
Claims Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said: "It is necessary to eliminate unions in order to balance future budgets."
False
February 26, 2011
Scott Walker
Scott Walker
stated on February 21, 2011 a news conference
If public employees don’t pay more for benefits starting April 1, 2011, "the equivalent" is 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011 and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years.
Mostly True
February 25, 2011
Rick Scott
Rick Scott
stated on February 23, 2011 comments to employees at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Says Florida's pension plan faces the same long-term funding problems as Social Security.
Half-True
By Aaron Sharockman • February 25, 2011
Mark Pocan
Mark Pocan
stated on February 16, 2011 a blog posting
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is "manufactured" and a "bogus figure."
False
By Dave Umhoefer • February 25, 2011
Scott Walker
Scott Walker
stated on February 23, 2011 a news conference
"The things I said (during the prank call by a blogger posing as GOP contributor David Koch) are the things I’ve said publicly all along" about the Wisconsin budget debate.
False
By Dave Umhoefer • February 24, 2011
J.D. Alexander
J.D. Alexander
stated on February 23, 2011 comments at the Senate Budget Committee.
Gov. Rick Scott's sale of the state planes was "not proper."
True
By Aaron Sharockman • February 24, 2011
Jeff Fitzgerald
Jeff Fitzgerald
stated on February 22, 2011 an interview on the Fox News Channel
"Every (Wisconsin) legislator that votes for this bill" will have to "give up the same amount of pay" as other state employees.
True
February 24, 2011
Ohio Democratic Party
Ohio Democratic Party
stated on February 14, 2011 a tweet on Twitter
"FACT: the ‘special assistant’ in @johnkasich's office makes over three times more than an average #OH firefighter"
Mostly True
By Mark Naymik • February 24, 2011
Scott Walker
Scott Walker
stated on February 22, 2011 a secretly-recorded prank telephone call
When it comes to protesters in Madison, "almost all" are now from outside of Wisconsin.
False
By James B. Nelson • February 24, 2011
Scott Walker
Scott Walker
stated on February 19, 2011 a news release
In 2009, Democratic Wisconsin state senators "rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input."
True
February 23, 2011
Scott Walker
Scott Walker
stated on February 21, 2011 a news conference
"I campaigned on (the proposals in the budget repair bill for Wisconsin) all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years."
False
By Dave Umhoefer • February 23, 2011
Florida Department of Corrections worker
Florida Department of Corrections worker
stated on February 21, 2011 a question to Gov. Rick Scott.
"State employees haven't received a raise in five or six years."
Mostly True
By Aaron Sharockman • February 22, 2011
Reince Priebus
Reince Priebus
stated on February 18, 2011 a statement to reporters
Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in his budget repair bill "is showing that no stone goes unturned as he asks everyone to tighten their belts."
False
By James B. Nelson • February 22, 2011
Lena Taylor
Lena Taylor
stated on February 15, 2011 in a TV interview, as well as other venues
Hitler "abolished unions and that’s what" Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is "doing today."
Pants on Fire!
February 22, 2011
Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus
Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus
stated on February 10, 2011 a press release.
The House of Delegates budget bill "cuts $50 million from education."
True
By Jacob Geiger • February 22, 2011
Jon Erpenbach
Jon Erpenbach
stated on February 17, 2011 a television interview
When it comes to urgency on passing a budget repair bill, "there’s no rush on this thing" because the fiscal year doesn’t end until June 30, 2011.
Mostly False
By Dave Umhoefer • February 22, 2011
George Will
George Will
stated on February 20, 2011 ABC's "This Week"
If Wisconsin's governor cuts perquisites as much as he plans to do, "it would still leave (workers) better off than their private sector" counterparts.
True
February 21, 2011
Donna Brazile
Donna Brazile
stated on February 20, 2011 an interview on "This Week with Christiane Amanpour."
"The  firefighters, the policemen and others who supported (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker) in his election bid ... don't have to worry about their collective bargaining rights."
Half-True
By Angie Drobnic Holan • February 21, 2011
Previous Next