Staff writer
Ryan Kost is a staff writer with The Oregonian's politics team.
The latest Truth-O-Meter items from Ryan Kost
Says "we allow more people into America legally than all other countries on the planet combined."
Says "a pack-a-day smoker who quits because of the tax increase will save about $1,650 a year."
Says "$1,100 of the tuition paid by every Oregon university student annually goes just to pay the costs of PERS."
Says if Oregon had limited its budget growth to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation, the state’s all-funds budget would be about $27 billion today, not $60 billion.
Says "MAX carries 30 percent of evening rush-hour commuters traveling from Downtown on the Sunset and Banfield freeways."
Says "in this next biennium, the cost of primary and secondary education is going to increase by more that $1000 per student. Half of that $1000 – $500 per student – is accounted for by the increased cost of PERS alone."
Says if you are on your bike in a crosswalk, all you have to do is dip your wheel into the road and cars must legally stop.
Says "last year the graduation rate for our combined six-district footprint jumped 5.5 percent."
Says the Nike bill "is not a tax break ... this does not lower the taxes that Nike will pay nor does it prevent the Legislature from raising those taxes in the future."
Says that "the state spends more money on tax giveaways than it receives in tax collection."
Recent stories from Ryan Kost
Oregon 2012: From statewide to local, a recap of our rulingsWell, we've just been tickled by mailers featuring Communists and scared piggy banks, frustrated children and worried homeowners. As we near Election Day, we offer you a wrap-up of our findings, from statewide ballot measures to local library levies.
Big strides in environment and health care mean two promises keptPolitiFact Oregon is wrapping up a week's worth of updates to its Kitz-O-Meter, the tool the site uses to keep track of Gov. John Kitzhaber's campaign promises. In health care and the environment, the governor has managed to keep two key promises
Six months in, it's time to update the Kitz-O-MeterSix months into his third term as governor, John Kitzhaber has moved quickly to set in motion plans to change the way the state builds budgets, educates children and delivers health care. Those promises proved to be a higher priority than tax and environmental reform.
John Kitzhaber has made progress on three promisesWe’ve updated the status of a few Gov. John Kitzhaber's promises now that his budget proposal has been released.
Our newest truth-telling tool: The Kitz-O-MeterGovernor-elect John Ktizhaber made more than a couple promises during last year's campaign season. We know, because we went through his statements, speeches, ads and position papers looking for them. Over the next four years, we'll be keeping an eye on whether Kitzhaber is keeping those promises.
The Voter Guide: Seven key distortions of the campaignAfter examining hundreds of claims in the 2010 campaign, we've seen some patterns in how candidates -- and outside groups -- have twisted the facts.
What makes a vote 'the deciding vote'?When politicians want to tie their opponents to a controversial bill, there are few tactics as powerful as labeling their vote for the bill as "the deciding vote." But determining a deciding vote is harder than it looks.
We want to hear your suggestions and comments. Email the Oregon Truth-O-Meter with feedback and with claims you'd like to see checked. If you send us a comment, we'll assume you don't mind us publishing it unless you tell us otherwise.
