Latest Fact-checks in City Budget Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category Brigid Shea stated on May 7, 2012 in a campaign mailer.: Says Lee Leffingwell "raised property taxes 20 percent in three years." Scott Walker stated on May 7, 2012 in a TV ad: Says Democratic recall opponent Tom Barrett is campaigning on "lifting property tax" limits. Dominic Chavez stated on March 30, 2012 in a campaign video: Says since 2000, Austin’s "tax burden" rose more than 40 percent while family income rose more than 20 percent. Amanda Fritz stated on April 19, 2012 in campaign material : Says she is "saving ratepayers $6 million/year." Lee Leffingwell stated on April 16, 2012 in an Austin mayoral candidate debate: Says "Austin has the lowest property tax rate by far of the five major cities in Texas." Amanda Fritz stated on April 12, 2012 in a questionnaire: Says "my advocacy questioning contracting out in Parks … delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract, and reduced the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40." AFSCME stated on April 7, 2012 in a letter to members: In labor negotiations with city employees, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett "demanded concessions that went beyond those mandated" by Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law Republican Governors Association stated on April 29, 2012 in a television ad: Mayor Tom Barrett’s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to "one of America’s 10 worst cities for unemployment." Jeffrey Hernandez stated on March 23, 2012 in a letter to the Providence School District.: Says his reform efforts improved performance at all 10 low-performing schools in Palm Beach, Florida. Republican Governors Association stated on March 22, 2012 in a website alert: "In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since." John Elkhay stated on March 21, 2012 in a rally.: If Rhode Island raises the meal and beverage tax to 10 percent, it would be the "fourth-highest in the nation." Rick Santorum stated on February 29, 2012 in a campaign speech: "When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits." Lee Leffingwell stated on February 18, 2012 in a campaign mailer.: "Invested $90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes." Lincoln Chafee stated on February 3, 2012 in a news show: "The commercial property tax [in Providence] is second highest in the country behind Detroit." Tom Leppert stated on January 12, 2012 in a U.S. Senate debate hosted by Empower Texans and the Texas Public Policy Foundation: Says "we brought crime rate down by 30 percent" when he was mayor of Dallas. Donald McEachin stated on January 11, 2012 in a speech.: Gov. McDonnell's proposed budget "is cutting" public education. Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says proposal to boost teacher pension fund "puts no mandate on local government." Club for Growth stated on January 4, 2012 in a billboard ad: "Mayor Barrett saved Milwaukee $25 million, thanks to Gov. Walker’s reforms." David Cicilline stated on December 25, 2011 in an appearance on WPRI's Newsmakers: "I think with the exception of the last year or maybe the last two years, we were at 100 percent" when it came to contributing to the Providence pension fund. Tom Barrett stated on October 26, 2011: On using Gov. Scott Walker’s collective-bargaining limits to help balance the city of Milwaukee budget Amanda Fritz stated on October 3, 2011 in in campaign literature: Says that "In 2009, I saved ratepayers around $500 million by persuading the Council to pursue a less expensive compliance mechanism if the City is required to treat Bull Run drinking water." Save Our Springs Alliance stated on August 16, 2011 in a newsletter post.: "Ten years ago the Austin Water Utility used a total of 240.3 million gallons. Every summer since then our peak day of water use has been lower." Richard Tomlins stated on August 22, 2011 in a recorded telephone message to Cranston residents: "Mayor Fung wants to punish our children's education by removing 12 million dollars from current funding to pay for his private charter school. Your taxes would increase by between 6 and 8 percent per year." Joseph Andriole stated on August 2, 2011 in a TV story: The Central Falls fire department is "one of the lowest, if not the lowest, paid fire departments in the state and entire region." Stephen Lisauskas stated on July 19, 2011 in a public meeting: Thirty-seven percent of Central Falls’ retired police officers and firefighters are out on disability pensions; in most municipalities, about 5 percent of retirees collect disability pensions. Daniel McKee stated on August 2, 2011 in a radio interview: Central Falls "schools are overfunded by state money by as much as $8 million." Randy Hopper stated on July 20, 2011 in a TV ad: Says Wisconsin Senate recall candidate Jessica King "voted to increase her pay with taxpayer dollars by 63 percent." Better Austin Today stated on June 18, 2011 in a campaign mailer.: Says that under City Council Member Randi Shade, Austin had the "highest city debt per person in Texas." Kathie Tovo stated on April 29, 2011 in a TV ad.: Says the Austin City Council "may give $4 million a year to subsidize a race track." Randi Shade stated on May 18, 2011 in a campaign mailer.: Says opponent Kathie Tovo "believes that Austin invests too much in the cops, firefighters and paramedics that protect our families and neighborhoods."
Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category
Brigid Shea stated on May 7, 2012 in a campaign mailer.: Says Lee Leffingwell "raised property taxes 20 percent in three years." Scott Walker stated on May 7, 2012 in a TV ad: Says Democratic recall opponent Tom Barrett is campaigning on "lifting property tax" limits. Dominic Chavez stated on March 30, 2012 in a campaign video: Says since 2000, Austin’s "tax burden" rose more than 40 percent while family income rose more than 20 percent. Amanda Fritz stated on April 19, 2012 in campaign material : Says she is "saving ratepayers $6 million/year." Lee Leffingwell stated on April 16, 2012 in an Austin mayoral candidate debate: Says "Austin has the lowest property tax rate by far of the five major cities in Texas." Amanda Fritz stated on April 12, 2012 in a questionnaire: Says "my advocacy questioning contracting out in Parks … delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract, and reduced the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40." AFSCME stated on April 7, 2012 in a letter to members: In labor negotiations with city employees, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett "demanded concessions that went beyond those mandated" by Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law Republican Governors Association stated on April 29, 2012 in a television ad: Mayor Tom Barrett’s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to "one of America’s 10 worst cities for unemployment." Jeffrey Hernandez stated on March 23, 2012 in a letter to the Providence School District.: Says his reform efforts improved performance at all 10 low-performing schools in Palm Beach, Florida. Republican Governors Association stated on March 22, 2012 in a website alert: "In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since." John Elkhay stated on March 21, 2012 in a rally.: If Rhode Island raises the meal and beverage tax to 10 percent, it would be the "fourth-highest in the nation." Rick Santorum stated on February 29, 2012 in a campaign speech: "When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits." Lee Leffingwell stated on February 18, 2012 in a campaign mailer.: "Invested $90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes." Lincoln Chafee stated on February 3, 2012 in a news show: "The commercial property tax [in Providence] is second highest in the country behind Detroit." Tom Leppert stated on January 12, 2012 in a U.S. Senate debate hosted by Empower Texans and the Texas Public Policy Foundation: Says "we brought crime rate down by 30 percent" when he was mayor of Dallas. Donald McEachin stated on January 11, 2012 in a speech.: Gov. McDonnell's proposed budget "is cutting" public education. Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says proposal to boost teacher pension fund "puts no mandate on local government." Club for Growth stated on January 4, 2012 in a billboard ad: "Mayor Barrett saved Milwaukee $25 million, thanks to Gov. Walker’s reforms." David Cicilline stated on December 25, 2011 in an appearance on WPRI's Newsmakers: "I think with the exception of the last year or maybe the last two years, we were at 100 percent" when it came to contributing to the Providence pension fund. Tom Barrett stated on October 26, 2011: On using Gov. Scott Walker’s collective-bargaining limits to help balance the city of Milwaukee budget Amanda Fritz stated on October 3, 2011 in in campaign literature: Says that "In 2009, I saved ratepayers around $500 million by persuading the Council to pursue a less expensive compliance mechanism if the City is required to treat Bull Run drinking water." Save Our Springs Alliance stated on August 16, 2011 in a newsletter post.: "Ten years ago the Austin Water Utility used a total of 240.3 million gallons. Every summer since then our peak day of water use has been lower." Richard Tomlins stated on August 22, 2011 in a recorded telephone message to Cranston residents: "Mayor Fung wants to punish our children's education by removing 12 million dollars from current funding to pay for his private charter school. Your taxes would increase by between 6 and 8 percent per year." Joseph Andriole stated on August 2, 2011 in a TV story: The Central Falls fire department is "one of the lowest, if not the lowest, paid fire departments in the state and entire region." Stephen Lisauskas stated on July 19, 2011 in a public meeting: Thirty-seven percent of Central Falls’ retired police officers and firefighters are out on disability pensions; in most municipalities, about 5 percent of retirees collect disability pensions. Daniel McKee stated on August 2, 2011 in a radio interview: Central Falls "schools are overfunded by state money by as much as $8 million." Randy Hopper stated on July 20, 2011 in a TV ad: Says Wisconsin Senate recall candidate Jessica King "voted to increase her pay with taxpayer dollars by 63 percent." Better Austin Today stated on June 18, 2011 in a campaign mailer.: Says that under City Council Member Randi Shade, Austin had the "highest city debt per person in Texas." Kathie Tovo stated on April 29, 2011 in a TV ad.: Says the Austin City Council "may give $4 million a year to subsidize a race track." Randi Shade stated on May 18, 2011 in a campaign mailer.: Says opponent Kathie Tovo "believes that Austin invests too much in the cops, firefighters and paramedics that protect our families and neighborhoods."
Brigid Shea stated on May 7, 2012 in a campaign mailer.: Says Lee Leffingwell "raised property taxes 20 percent in three years."
Scott Walker stated on May 7, 2012 in a TV ad: Says Democratic recall opponent Tom Barrett is campaigning on "lifting property tax" limits.
Dominic Chavez stated on March 30, 2012 in a campaign video: Says since 2000, Austin’s "tax burden" rose more than 40 percent while family income rose more than 20 percent.
Amanda Fritz stated on April 19, 2012 in campaign material : Says she is "saving ratepayers $6 million/year."
Lee Leffingwell stated on April 16, 2012 in an Austin mayoral candidate debate: Says "Austin has the lowest property tax rate by far of the five major cities in Texas."
Amanda Fritz stated on April 12, 2012 in a questionnaire: Says "my advocacy questioning contracting out in Parks … delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract, and reduced the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40."
AFSCME stated on April 7, 2012 in a letter to members: In labor negotiations with city employees, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett "demanded concessions that went beyond those mandated" by Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law
Republican Governors Association stated on April 29, 2012 in a television ad: Mayor Tom Barrett’s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to "one of America’s 10 worst cities for unemployment."
Jeffrey Hernandez stated on March 23, 2012 in a letter to the Providence School District.: Says his reform efforts improved performance at all 10 low-performing schools in Palm Beach, Florida.
Republican Governors Association stated on March 22, 2012 in a website alert: "In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since."
John Elkhay stated on March 21, 2012 in a rally.: If Rhode Island raises the meal and beverage tax to 10 percent, it would be the "fourth-highest in the nation."
Rick Santorum stated on February 29, 2012 in a campaign speech: "When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits."
Lee Leffingwell stated on February 18, 2012 in a campaign mailer.: "Invested $90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes."
Lincoln Chafee stated on February 3, 2012 in a news show: "The commercial property tax [in Providence] is second highest in the country behind Detroit."
Tom Leppert stated on January 12, 2012 in a U.S. Senate debate hosted by Empower Texans and the Texas Public Policy Foundation: Says "we brought crime rate down by 30 percent" when he was mayor of Dallas.
Donald McEachin stated on January 11, 2012 in a speech.: Gov. McDonnell's proposed budget "is cutting" public education.
Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says proposal to boost teacher pension fund "puts no mandate on local government."
Club for Growth stated on January 4, 2012 in a billboard ad: "Mayor Barrett saved Milwaukee $25 million, thanks to Gov. Walker’s reforms."
David Cicilline stated on December 25, 2011 in an appearance on WPRI's Newsmakers: "I think with the exception of the last year or maybe the last two years, we were at 100 percent" when it came to contributing to the Providence pension fund.
Tom Barrett stated on October 26, 2011: On using Gov. Scott Walker’s collective-bargaining limits to help balance the city of Milwaukee budget
Amanda Fritz stated on October 3, 2011 in in campaign literature: Says that "In 2009, I saved ratepayers around $500 million by persuading the Council to pursue a less expensive compliance mechanism if the City is required to treat Bull Run drinking water."
Save Our Springs Alliance stated on August 16, 2011 in a newsletter post.: "Ten years ago the Austin Water Utility used a total of 240.3 million gallons. Every summer since then our peak day of water use has been lower."
Richard Tomlins stated on August 22, 2011 in a recorded telephone message to Cranston residents: "Mayor Fung wants to punish our children's education by removing 12 million dollars from current funding to pay for his private charter school. Your taxes would increase by between 6 and 8 percent per year."
Joseph Andriole stated on August 2, 2011 in a TV story: The Central Falls fire department is "one of the lowest, if not the lowest, paid fire departments in the state and entire region."
Stephen Lisauskas stated on July 19, 2011 in a public meeting: Thirty-seven percent of Central Falls’ retired police officers and firefighters are out on disability pensions; in most municipalities, about 5 percent of retirees collect disability pensions.
Daniel McKee stated on August 2, 2011 in a radio interview: Central Falls "schools are overfunded by state money by as much as $8 million."
Randy Hopper stated on July 20, 2011 in a TV ad: Says Wisconsin Senate recall candidate Jessica King "voted to increase her pay with taxpayer dollars by 63 percent."
Better Austin Today stated on June 18, 2011 in a campaign mailer.: Says that under City Council Member Randi Shade, Austin had the "highest city debt per person in Texas."
Kathie Tovo stated on April 29, 2011 in a TV ad.: Says the Austin City Council "may give $4 million a year to subsidize a race track."
Randi Shade stated on May 18, 2011 in a campaign mailer.: Says opponent Kathie Tovo "believes that Austin invests too much in the cops, firefighters and paramedics that protect our families and neighborhoods."
