PolitiFact Georgia Staff Writer
Eric Stirgus, Georgia PolitiFact reporter, has covered local government and politics for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since November 2001. He was most recently assigned to Atlanta City Hall, where he covered the last two years of Mayor Shirley Franklin’s administration, the City Council and the frenetic 2009 mayor’s race. Eric is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y. and has worked at the New York Daily News, New York Post and St. Petersburg Times. He is a 1994 graduate of New York University.
The latest Truth-O-Meter items from Eric Stirgus
There are about 120,000 solar energy jobs in the United States, but only 1,700 of them are in Georgia.
Says Fulton County government hasn’t raised its millage rate since 1991.
Says President Barack Obama’s proposed budget includes two new tax increases that would collect about $14 billion.
U.S. Rep. John Barrow of Georgia has helped support the implementation of "Obamacare."
In just six years, Georgia has dropped from first in the nation from a business-friendly legal climate to 24th.
"The port provides more than 297,000 jobs directly to the state of Georgia."
Says state Senate leaders have accepted $142,400 in campaign contributions from dentists and pharmacists during the past two years.
On allowing a vote on universal gun background checks in the U.S. Senate.
About 3 percent of Gov. Nathan Deal’s appointments have been African-American.
Congress has spent 66 of the first 100 days of this term in recess.
Recent stories from Eric Stirgus
Top 10 fact-checks on gunsAs the U.S. Senate moves to take up gun legislation, we fact-check the most interesting and oft-repeated claims from both sides of the debate.
It's Bloomberg vs. LaPierre on gun claimsNew York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the NRA's Wayne LaPierre made back-to-back appearances this week on Meet the Press. We checked their facts.
A $1 billion dealAtlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced recently they’ve agreed to the financial framework of a $1 billion stadium to replace the 20-year-old Georgia Dome. The deal must still be approved by the 15-member Atlanta City Council.
A look at how Saxby Chambliss has done on the Truth-O-MeterSaxby Chambliss, Georgia’s senior U.S. senator, surprised the political world Friday when he announced he’s not running for a third term in 2014, despite recent claims he was ready to take on any and all challengers. The decision has several politicians and officeholders considering whether to run for the seat. In the meantime, PolitiFact Georgia thought we’d look back at how Chambliss has fared on our Truth-O-Meter.
Election and voter ID claims get examinedToday ends a long -- and often annoying -- season of political ads, robocalls from famous politicians and glossy fliers sitting in your mailbox from someone who wants your vote. PolitiFact Georgia decided to take a look back at a few claims about voting and elections that have been tested on the Truth-O-Meter this election cycle. Below are abbreviated versions of these fact checks. Look for the complete versions at the PolitiFact online sites. Want to comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings? It's easy. Just go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. Readers can follow us on Twitter at PolitiFactGA.
"Obamacare" gets examined on the Truth-O-MeterThe 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, has stirred plenty of emotions and truth-twisting by its supporters and critics. Below are some abbreviated versions of fact checks of statements about it by President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the campaign. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.
PolitiFact examines candidates claims on MedicareThe future of Medicare, the federal health care program for older and disabled Americans, has been a key issue in the race for the White House. The issue came into sharp focus after Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney named U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate. In 2011, Ryan proposed a hotly debated plan to ensure Medicare remains solvent. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have consistently claimed the GOP approach would end Medicare guarantees for seniors. The Republicans have countered the Obama administration has cut Medicare spending through the controversial 2010 health care law. Below are some abbreviated versions of fact checks of statements by the candidates on the issue. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.
Obama and Romney on the economyThe economy has been the central issue in this presidential race. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have divergent visions about how to help create more jobs, sell more American goods overseas and make the nation more energy-independent. Along the way, both men have made claims that caused the Truth-O-Meter to sway in all directions. Below are some abbreviated versions of fact checks about the candidates’ statements during the campaign. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.
Another debate, a new round of fact-checksThe second presidential debate is in the books. A third and final face-to-face showdown between Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama is set for Monday. PolitiFact and PolitiFact Georgia checked statements made by the candidates during Tuesday’s town hall-style event. Below are some (abbreviated versions of) fact-checks on statements by the candidates or major themes they broached during their second debate. We will be updating our online site -- http://www.politifact.com/georgia/ -- continuously as fact-checks are completed. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA. Look for the complete fact-checks at the PolitiFact online sites.
Biden and Ryan exchange claims, barbs in Kentucky debateThe second debate — and only debate for vice presidential candidates — of the presidential election season is in the books. And like their running mates a week ago, the second-in-command contenders had a lot to say. In some heated exchanges, Vice President Joseph Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan accused each other of distorting information, repeating some familiar talking points from the presidential campaigns. PolitiFact and PolitiFact Georgia are checking statements made by the two candidates Thursday night in Danville, Ky. We will be updating our online site — http://www.politifact.com/georgia/ — throughout the day as fact-checks are completed. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA. Below are some initial fact-checks on statements by the candidates or major themes they broached during Thursday’s debate.
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