Watchdog reporter
Tom Kertscher worked for newspapers in Oklahoma, Illinois and California before joining the Journal Sentinel in 1998. He has been a reporter for 25 years. At the Journal Sentinel, he has covered a variety of local government and courts beats. A Cedarburg native, he has a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree from Ohio State University.
The latest Truth-O-Meter items from Tom Kertscher
Says new figures he released showing Wisconsin job gains for 2011 are "the final job numbers."
Says Gov. Scott Walker is "cooking the books" by releasing numbers "he just dreamed up" that show Wisconsin gained jobs in 2011.
Since Scott Walker took office as governor in January 2011, there has been an increase of 33,200 jobs in Wisconsin.
Says Democratic recall opponent Mahlon Mitchell sent a letter "encouraging folks to boycott more than 100 companies."
Says Gov. Scott Walker said "no to equal pay for equal work for women."
Says Democratic recall opponent Tom Barrett is campaigning on "lifting property tax" limits.
Says Gov. Scott Walker "has caused Wisconsin to lose more jobs than any other state in the country."
Wisconsin women "are paid 81 cents to the dollar of a man doing the same job."
The Wisconsin law repealed by Republicans, which allowed discriminated workers to sue in state court, "was kind of a gravy train" for lawyers.
Every time the price of gasoline rises 1 cent, "it's a billion dollars out of our economy that goes to Saudi Arabia."
Recent stories from Tom Kertscher
Behind the rhetoric: The in-state, out-of-state campaign money debateBoth sides say the other is relying on out-of-state contributions in the 2012 gubernatorial recall. We dig into the numbers in the third in our series of background stories on key questions in the race.
Behind the rhetoric: The WEA Trust and school health care costsIn the second of our-pre-recall backgrounders, we look at the WEA Trust and health care costs for school districts.
At end of one-year term, a final score on Abele-O-MeterThe end of Chris Abele’s one-year term as Milwaukee County executive means it’s time for a final look at how the political newcomer did in keeping promises he made as a candidate.
A primary primer: A look inside the Romney fileAs the Wisconsin primary election approaches, we’re taking a look at how the four candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination have fared on PolitiFact’s Truth-O-Meter. Today: Mitt Romney.
A primary primer: A look inside the Santorum fileAs the Wisconsin primary election approaches, we’re taking a look at how the four candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination have fared on PolitiFact’s Truth-O-Meter. First up: Rick Santorum.
Inside the Walker tax debate: Was budget an increase or a cut?Did Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the target of a campaign to remove him from office, raise taxes or didn’t he? Seems like a simple question. As competing claims surface, we take a look. It does kinda feel like we've already tackled this topic before ...
A look at our Walker and recall-related statementsAs Democrats launch their drive to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, here's a look at some of the claims -- from both sides -- you're likely to see repeated. And repeated.
A look at the Fitzgerald fileWith Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, entering the 2012 race for an open U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin, we take a look at how he has fared so far on the Truth-O-Meter.
A look at the Thompson fileRepublican Tommy Thompson is making his U.S. Senate bid official -- even if it seems like he's been running for months. Here's a look at how he has fared so far on the Truth-O-Meter.
Ponzi puzzle: A closer look at Ryan and claims he agreed with Perry that Social Security is a Ponzi schemeWhen House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., was asked whether he agreed with Rick Perry about Social Security being a Ponzi scheme, it created a firestorm. We took a closer look at what was said.
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