Latest Fact-Checks In State Budget

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Gwen Moore
Gwen Moore
stated on April 30, 2011 a speech at a state Democratic Party dinner
Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "literally invented a $3.6 billion deficit."
False
May 12, 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
John Kasich
John Kasich
stated on April 19, 2011 a news conference
"State employees are actually going to get a pay raise."
False
By Tom Feran • May 3, 2011
Mike Haridopolos
Mike Haridopolos
stated on April 26, 2011 comments announcing a budget deal with the Florida House of Representatives
Says "many states" are floundering under crushing deficit spending.
False
By Aaron Sharockman • April 27, 2011
Mark Pocan
Mark Pocan
stated on February 19, 2011 a blog post
Says salaries and benefits for Wisconsin state employee comprised 8.5 percent of the 2009-2011 state budget.
False
April 24, 2011
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
stated on April 19, 2011 a news release
Says Wisconsin state Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, has already been recalled.
False
By Dave Umhoefer • April 22, 2011
Mitch Daniels
Mitch Daniels
stated on March 28, 2011 an interview with PBS's Tavis Smiley.
Says that in 41 states, government workers "are better paid than the taxpayers who support them."  
False
By W. Gardner Selby • April 21, 2011
Our Oregon
Our Oregon
stated on April 6, 2011 a political ad
(Dennis) Richardson wants to make drastic cuts to services we depend on: schools, home care for seniors, even public safety -- all so Richardson can keep more than $440 million in unspent funds for his political priorities."
False
By Ian K. Kullgren • April 19, 2011
John Kasich
John Kasich
stated on March 8, 2011 his State of the State speech
There was "some sort of informal commitment to build a (psychiatric) building in downtown Cleveland."
False
By Tom Feran • April 12, 2011
Mark Hass
Mark Hass
stated on March 30, 2011 in a press release
"For every one ESD superintendent position, we can pay for three speech pathologists, or three special needs instructors, or three classroom teachers."
False
By Ian K. Kullgren • April 11, 2011
Dennis Richardson
Dennis Richardson
stated on March 4, 2011 a newsletter
"Oregon is the only state out of the 50 states in the USA that continues to pay 100% of the medical benefits for its employees and their families."
False
By Ian K. Kullgren • March 28, 2011
Rick Perry
Rick Perry
stated on March 7, 2011 a comment to reporters.
Says the state’s budget shortfall is "not that much different" than it was in 2003.
False
By W. Gardner Selby • March 22, 2011
Andy Gardiner
Andy Gardiner
stated on March 15, 2011 a press statement.
A proposed revenue smart cap "gives Floridians a voice, requiring a 60 percent vote by citizens in order to impose a new tax, fee, license, fine, charge or assessment."
False
By Aaron Sharockman • March 16, 2011
Bloggers
Bloggers
stated on March 6, 2011 various blog postings critical of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s "budget okays disposing of unclaimed pound dogs to university research facilities."
False
By Dave Umhoefer • March 9, 2011
Chain email
Chain email
stated on March 7, 2011 a chain email apparently focused on Wisconsin corrections workers
State employees will have to pay 100 percent of their pensions and health insurance after 2012.
False
By Dave Umhoefer • March 8, 2011
Rand Paul
Rand Paul
stated on February 24, 2011 an appearance on a TV interview program
"The average (public school) teacher in Wisconsin’s making $89,000 a year" in salary and benefits.
False
March 4, 2011
Jennifer Shilling
Jennifer Shilling
stated on February 27, 2011 a news release
Says many local governments in Wisconsin already require employees to pay 20 percent, 30 percent or even 40 percent of their health insurance premiums.
False
By Dave Umhoefer • March 3, 2011
Scott Walker
Scott Walker
stated on February 21, 2011 a news conference and many other venues
"We’re broke. We don’t have any more money."
False
By James B. Nelson • March 3, 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
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
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