Latest Half-True Fact-checks in Rhode Island 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 Richard Morrison stated on February 15, 2012 in a legislative hearing: After Arizona banned smoking in "all public places" in 2007, "admissions for acute myocardial infarction … stroke, asthma, [and] angina decreased following the implementation of the ban." Joseph Trillo stated on January 20, 2012 in a debate: "We got [the Quonset Business Park] for free and we’re getting zero dollars out of it into the state coffers … other than the fact that it produces the jobs." Barry Hinckley stated on January 17, 2012 in a YouTube video: "Sheldon Whitehouse's failure of leadership, the adding of almost $8 trillion in debt in his first full term, is shameful..." Stephanie DeSilva stated on January 11, 2012 in a news release: "[Mitt] Romney and [Brendan] Doherty certainly have a lot in common, like flip-flopping on abortion -- in Doherty's case, in a little over a week." Angel Taveras stated on January 8, 2012 in a newspaper commentary: "In Connecticut and New York, students at Achievement First schools consistently outperform city and statewide averages." David Cicilline stated on November 18, 2011 in a fundraising letter: Enacting the Right-to-Carry Act would amount to "expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.’’ Jack Reed stated on November 10, 2011 in a speech on the Senate floor: In Rhode Island, "only 5 percent of ozone pollution is from local or in-state sources. . . Ninety-five percent comes from outside of our borders, particularly the Midwest." George Nee stated on October 19, 2011 in a pension forum: "This is the first time in our state, and one of the first times in the country, where benefit reductions . . . has happened to people who are retired." 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." American Beverage Association stated on May 11, 2011 in a placard: "The new beverage tax will increase the cost of sodas, juice drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, and flavored water up to 50%." Colleen Conley stated on April 13, 2011 in a radio interview: "We are the most generous in New England and New England is known for its generosity toward its welfare recipients." James Cenerini stated on March 24, 2011 in testimony before the Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee: When you compare our state pension system "to other systems throughout the country, our benefits are not gold-plated. They are not rich. They are actually average or below average." Joseph McNamara stated on March 16, 2011 in a news release: "About 22 percent of adults in Rhode Island and approximately 30 percent of youth (ages 10-17) are considered obese." Travis Rowley stated on February 22, 2011 in a web commentary: "Last year it was discovered that Rhode Island's public employees ranked 4th in average pay, while the private sector ranked 23rd." Susan Sosnowski stated on February 3, 2011 in a news release: "Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States, and Rhode Island has the second-highest incidence of this disease in the country." Peter Kilmartin stated on January 11, 2011 in a news release: Secure Communities "has a proven track record of enhancing public safety by focusing on violent offenders and those that pose a threat to our communities and our national security." Robert Flanders stated on December 17, 2010 in an economic forum: "Every dropout costs us $72,000 for the life of that person." Steven Brown stated on November 20, 2010 in story in the Providence Journal: "Over half of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island is white." Elizabeth Roberts stated on October 28, 2010 in a campaign commercial: She "led the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes and saved Rhode Island families over $150 million." Frank Caprio stated on October 6, 2010 in a gubernatorial debate: Says Lincoln Chafee "settled a union strike by giving the teachers a 19-percent-raise." David Cicilline stated on September 23, 2010 in in a senior center address: "The Republican candidate [John Loughlin] has talked about privatizing Social Security ... so we know where he stands on the issue." Patrick Lynch stated on June 20, 2010 in an appearance on Newsmakers: "Deepwater's own testimony . . . is they said they'll create six jobs." Frank Caprio stated on August 26, 2010 in his campaign website: "1 in 4 Rhode Islanders under the age of 65 does not have health insurance." Donald Carcieri stated on July 27, 2010 in an interview on Fox News' "The Neil Cavuto Show," about U.S. Sen. John Kerry's boat: Repealing the sales tax on boats in Rhode Island has spawned 2,000 companies, 7,000 jobs and close to $2 billion a year in sales activity. James Langevin stated on July 12, 2010 in an online forum on ProJo.com: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that for every $1 we spend on unemployment benefits, $1.90 is put into our economy." Peter Kilmartin stated on June 28, 2010 in a speech at the state Democratic convention: For every $1 spent on afterschool programs, "we can save over $5, almost $6, in crime costs down the line." John Robitaille stated on July 11, 2010 in a comment on Newsmakers: Because of union rules, cooks helpers moved into DMV jobs they were not trained for Jeremy Kapstein stated on July 20, 2010 in a comment on the Dan York Show: The lieutenant governor has the power to be an "economic ambassador" and "negotiate" on economic development Leonidas Raptakis stated on June 23, 2010 in announcing his campaign for secretary of state: Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis wrongly takes credit for small-business program Frank Caprio stated on June 10, 2010 in speeches and on his campaign website: "If every small business in our state, on average, was able to create one new job we would cut our unemployment rate in half."
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
Richard Morrison stated on February 15, 2012 in a legislative hearing: After Arizona banned smoking in "all public places" in 2007, "admissions for acute myocardial infarction … stroke, asthma, [and] angina decreased following the implementation of the ban." Joseph Trillo stated on January 20, 2012 in a debate: "We got [the Quonset Business Park] for free and we’re getting zero dollars out of it into the state coffers … other than the fact that it produces the jobs." Barry Hinckley stated on January 17, 2012 in a YouTube video: "Sheldon Whitehouse's failure of leadership, the adding of almost $8 trillion in debt in his first full term, is shameful..." Stephanie DeSilva stated on January 11, 2012 in a news release: "[Mitt] Romney and [Brendan] Doherty certainly have a lot in common, like flip-flopping on abortion -- in Doherty's case, in a little over a week." Angel Taveras stated on January 8, 2012 in a newspaper commentary: "In Connecticut and New York, students at Achievement First schools consistently outperform city and statewide averages." David Cicilline stated on November 18, 2011 in a fundraising letter: Enacting the Right-to-Carry Act would amount to "expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.’’ Jack Reed stated on November 10, 2011 in a speech on the Senate floor: In Rhode Island, "only 5 percent of ozone pollution is from local or in-state sources. . . Ninety-five percent comes from outside of our borders, particularly the Midwest." George Nee stated on October 19, 2011 in a pension forum: "This is the first time in our state, and one of the first times in the country, where benefit reductions . . . has happened to people who are retired." 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." American Beverage Association stated on May 11, 2011 in a placard: "The new beverage tax will increase the cost of sodas, juice drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, and flavored water up to 50%." Colleen Conley stated on April 13, 2011 in a radio interview: "We are the most generous in New England and New England is known for its generosity toward its welfare recipients." James Cenerini stated on March 24, 2011 in testimony before the Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee: When you compare our state pension system "to other systems throughout the country, our benefits are not gold-plated. They are not rich. They are actually average or below average." Joseph McNamara stated on March 16, 2011 in a news release: "About 22 percent of adults in Rhode Island and approximately 30 percent of youth (ages 10-17) are considered obese." Travis Rowley stated on February 22, 2011 in a web commentary: "Last year it was discovered that Rhode Island's public employees ranked 4th in average pay, while the private sector ranked 23rd." Susan Sosnowski stated on February 3, 2011 in a news release: "Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States, and Rhode Island has the second-highest incidence of this disease in the country." Peter Kilmartin stated on January 11, 2011 in a news release: Secure Communities "has a proven track record of enhancing public safety by focusing on violent offenders and those that pose a threat to our communities and our national security." Robert Flanders stated on December 17, 2010 in an economic forum: "Every dropout costs us $72,000 for the life of that person." Steven Brown stated on November 20, 2010 in story in the Providence Journal: "Over half of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island is white." Elizabeth Roberts stated on October 28, 2010 in a campaign commercial: She "led the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes and saved Rhode Island families over $150 million." Frank Caprio stated on October 6, 2010 in a gubernatorial debate: Says Lincoln Chafee "settled a union strike by giving the teachers a 19-percent-raise." David Cicilline stated on September 23, 2010 in in a senior center address: "The Republican candidate [John Loughlin] has talked about privatizing Social Security ... so we know where he stands on the issue." Patrick Lynch stated on June 20, 2010 in an appearance on Newsmakers: "Deepwater's own testimony . . . is they said they'll create six jobs." Frank Caprio stated on August 26, 2010 in his campaign website: "1 in 4 Rhode Islanders under the age of 65 does not have health insurance." Donald Carcieri stated on July 27, 2010 in an interview on Fox News' "The Neil Cavuto Show," about U.S. Sen. John Kerry's boat: Repealing the sales tax on boats in Rhode Island has spawned 2,000 companies, 7,000 jobs and close to $2 billion a year in sales activity. James Langevin stated on July 12, 2010 in an online forum on ProJo.com: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that for every $1 we spend on unemployment benefits, $1.90 is put into our economy." Peter Kilmartin stated on June 28, 2010 in a speech at the state Democratic convention: For every $1 spent on afterschool programs, "we can save over $5, almost $6, in crime costs down the line." John Robitaille stated on July 11, 2010 in a comment on Newsmakers: Because of union rules, cooks helpers moved into DMV jobs they were not trained for Jeremy Kapstein stated on July 20, 2010 in a comment on the Dan York Show: The lieutenant governor has the power to be an "economic ambassador" and "negotiate" on economic development Leonidas Raptakis stated on June 23, 2010 in announcing his campaign for secretary of state: Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis wrongly takes credit for small-business program Frank Caprio stated on June 10, 2010 in speeches and on his campaign website: "If every small business in our state, on average, was able to create one new job we would cut our unemployment rate in half."
Richard Morrison stated on February 15, 2012 in a legislative hearing: After Arizona banned smoking in "all public places" in 2007, "admissions for acute myocardial infarction … stroke, asthma, [and] angina decreased following the implementation of the ban."
Joseph Trillo stated on January 20, 2012 in a debate: "We got [the Quonset Business Park] for free and we’re getting zero dollars out of it into the state coffers … other than the fact that it produces the jobs."
Barry Hinckley stated on January 17, 2012 in a YouTube video: "Sheldon Whitehouse's failure of leadership, the adding of almost $8 trillion in debt in his first full term, is shameful..."
Stephanie DeSilva stated on January 11, 2012 in a news release: "[Mitt] Romney and [Brendan] Doherty certainly have a lot in common, like flip-flopping on abortion -- in Doherty's case, in a little over a week."
Angel Taveras stated on January 8, 2012 in a newspaper commentary: "In Connecticut and New York, students at Achievement First schools consistently outperform city and statewide averages."
David Cicilline stated on November 18, 2011 in a fundraising letter: Enacting the Right-to-Carry Act would amount to "expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.’’
Jack Reed stated on November 10, 2011 in a speech on the Senate floor: In Rhode Island, "only 5 percent of ozone pollution is from local or in-state sources. . . Ninety-five percent comes from outside of our borders, particularly the Midwest."
George Nee stated on October 19, 2011 in a pension forum: "This is the first time in our state, and one of the first times in the country, where benefit reductions . . . has happened to people who are retired."
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."
American Beverage Association stated on May 11, 2011 in a placard: "The new beverage tax will increase the cost of sodas, juice drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, and flavored water up to 50%."
Colleen Conley stated on April 13, 2011 in a radio interview: "We are the most generous in New England and New England is known for its generosity toward its welfare recipients."
James Cenerini stated on March 24, 2011 in testimony before the Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee: When you compare our state pension system "to other systems throughout the country, our benefits are not gold-plated. They are not rich. They are actually average or below average."
Joseph McNamara stated on March 16, 2011 in a news release: "About 22 percent of adults in Rhode Island and approximately 30 percent of youth (ages 10-17) are considered obese."
Travis Rowley stated on February 22, 2011 in a web commentary: "Last year it was discovered that Rhode Island's public employees ranked 4th in average pay, while the private sector ranked 23rd."
Susan Sosnowski stated on February 3, 2011 in a news release: "Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States, and Rhode Island has the second-highest incidence of this disease in the country."
Peter Kilmartin stated on January 11, 2011 in a news release: Secure Communities "has a proven track record of enhancing public safety by focusing on violent offenders and those that pose a threat to our communities and our national security."
Robert Flanders stated on December 17, 2010 in an economic forum: "Every dropout costs us $72,000 for the life of that person."
Steven Brown stated on November 20, 2010 in story in the Providence Journal: "Over half of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island is white."
Elizabeth Roberts stated on October 28, 2010 in a campaign commercial: She "led the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes and saved Rhode Island families over $150 million."
Frank Caprio stated on October 6, 2010 in a gubernatorial debate: Says Lincoln Chafee "settled a union strike by giving the teachers a 19-percent-raise."
David Cicilline stated on September 23, 2010 in in a senior center address: "The Republican candidate [John Loughlin] has talked about privatizing Social Security ... so we know where he stands on the issue."
Patrick Lynch stated on June 20, 2010 in an appearance on Newsmakers: "Deepwater's own testimony . . . is they said they'll create six jobs."
Frank Caprio stated on August 26, 2010 in his campaign website: "1 in 4 Rhode Islanders under the age of 65 does not have health insurance."
Donald Carcieri stated on July 27, 2010 in an interview on Fox News' "The Neil Cavuto Show," about U.S. Sen. John Kerry's boat: Repealing the sales tax on boats in Rhode Island has spawned 2,000 companies, 7,000 jobs and close to $2 billion a year in sales activity.
James Langevin stated on July 12, 2010 in an online forum on ProJo.com: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that for every $1 we spend on unemployment benefits, $1.90 is put into our economy."
Peter Kilmartin stated on June 28, 2010 in a speech at the state Democratic convention: For every $1 spent on afterschool programs, "we can save over $5, almost $6, in crime costs down the line."
John Robitaille stated on July 11, 2010 in a comment on Newsmakers: Because of union rules, cooks helpers moved into DMV jobs they were not trained for
Jeremy Kapstein stated on July 20, 2010 in a comment on the Dan York Show: The lieutenant governor has the power to be an "economic ambassador" and "negotiate" on economic development
Leonidas Raptakis stated on June 23, 2010 in announcing his campaign for secretary of state: Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis wrongly takes credit for small-business program
Frank Caprio stated on June 10, 2010 in speeches and on his campaign website: "If every small business in our state, on average, was able to create one new job we would cut our unemployment rate in half."
