Editor, Politifact Texas
W. Gardner Selby, chief political writer for the Austin American-Statesman, has covered Texas politics and government off and on since working part-time for The Beaumont Enterprise at the Texas Capitol in 1982-83. He joined the Statesman as a reporter and columnist in 2005 having reported previously for four other newspapers at the Capitol. His background includes nearly five years as a state employee and nearly 30 parent-years as the father of two girls. One of the latest baseball books he read noted the popularity of "Horse ---" as an expression by ball players and umpires--perhaps an appropriate warm-up for the launch of Politifact Texas.
The latest Truth-O-Meter items from W. Gardner Selby
Says he "restored prayer and the pledge in our schools."
Says Larry Taylor gave "in-state tuition to illegal immigrants."
Lloyd Doggett "made millions off companies like Bank of America while they took taxpayer bailout money."
Says Paul Workman authored legislation providing amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Says Williamson County Attorney Jana Duty "has never prosecuted a single adult felony case."
Says "large majority" of Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim and not U.S.-born.
Says the majority of candidates in Texas’ 25th Congressional District live outside the district.
Says "over 40 percent of recent county bonds are for Precinct One, northeast Travis County," because he "is quick to identify projects that help make the East Side a desirable place to live."
"Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are negotiating with the United Nations about doing a treaty that will ban the use of firearms."
Says he represents or has represented about half the San Antonio-rooted district in which he seeks election.
Recent stories from W. Gardner Selby
A fresh untruth about tuition for undocumented studentsWe've posted our review of a fresh claim that a Republican legislator gave in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. Our look at this claim -- which caught fire -- reminded us we'd previously explored misconceptions about the Texas tuition law.
Austin’s KUT and PolitiFact Texas share one-year anniversaryWith a gooshy cupcake, PolitiFact Texas and Austin’s KUT, 90.5 FM, marked the anniversary of weekly radio segments exploring Texas Truth-O-Meter items.
Craig James, fellow Republicans in U.S. Senate race deplore Obama's leadershipRepublicans seeking a Texas U.S. Senate seat have questioned Obama's leadership -- with Craig James recently saying the president seeks to ban U.S. firearms. That claim is smoky.
Ron Paul stops spending; we'll keep checkingTexan Ron Paul is cutting off spending on his presidential campaign. The Truth-O-Meter carries on.
Leffingwell and fellow Austin City Council incumbents victoriousLee Leffingwell and three fellow Austin City Council members won re-election Saturday. We earlier checked some of what was said leading up to the vote.
Checking Austin taxes, affordability and a claim about a Rick Perry Republican lobbyistWondering if candidates for the Austin City Council are accurate about local affordability or taxes or their opponent's fealty to Rick Perry? We've checked several Austin-centric claims in advance of Saturday's city elections.
Mailbag: ‘It is all junk!’Our check of a claim about testing dates in Austin’s schools drew some emails. Let’s open the mailbag.
Planned Parenthood versus the State of TexasAs the dispute over whether the state can exclude Planned Parenthood health centers from the Women’s Health Program plays out in court, we look back at two fact-checks of statements about Planned Parenthood’s involvement in the program.
Ron Paul's 40,000 new lawsRon Paul said at Texas stops that 40,000 new laws landed on the books at the start of 2012. Not so.
Colbert goofs on Texas schools, Thomas JeffersonColbert asked Don McLeroy, a former chairman of the State Board of Education, why he wanted to yank Jefferson from schoolbooks. Not so, McLeroy replied. The Texan had a point.
We want to hear your suggestions and comments. Email the Texas 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.
