Latest Fact-checks in Wisconsin 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 Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference and many other venues: "We’re broke. We don’t have any more money." Ed Garvey stated on February 21, 2011 in a newspaper column and blog post: Claims Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said: "It is necessary to eliminate unions in order to balance future budgets." Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference: If public employees don’t pay more for benefits starting April 1, 2011, "the equivalent" is 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011 and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years. Mark Pocan stated on February 16, 2011 in a blog posting: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is "manufactured" and a "bogus figure." Scott Walker stated on February 23, 2011 in a news conference: "The things I said (during the prank call by a blogger posing as GOP contributor David Koch) are the things I’ve said publicly all along" about the Wisconsin budget debate. Scott Walker stated on February 22, 2011 in a secretly-recorded prank telephone call: When it comes to protesters in Madison, "almost all" are now from outside of Wisconsin. Scott Walker stated on February 19, 2011 in a news release: In 2009, Democratic Wisconsin state senators "rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input." Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference: "I campaigned on (the proposals in the budget repair bill for Wisconsin) all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years." Reince Priebus stated on February 18, 2011 in a statement to reporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in his budget repair bill "is showing that no stone goes unturned as he asks everyone to tighten their belts." Lena Taylor stated on February 15, 2011 in in a TV interview, as well as other venues: Hitler "abolished unions and that’s what" Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is "doing today." Jon Erpenbach stated on February 17, 2011 in a television interview: When it comes to urgency on passing a budget repair bill, "there’s no rush on this thing" because the fiscal year doesn’t end until June 30, 2011. Republican Party of Wisconsin stated on February 19, 2011 in a news release: At protests in Wisconsin against proposed collective bargaining changes, "phony sick notes (were) passed out to excuse striking union members." Scott Walker stated on February 18, 2011 in a radio interview: Says under his budget-repair bill, "collective bargaining is fully intact." Paul Ryan stated on February 17, 2011 in an appearance on a TV interview program: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s move to limit collective bargaining rights has led to "riots" at the Capitol -- "It's like Cairo has moved to Madison these days." Rachel Maddow stated on February 17, 2011 in a segment on her television talk show: "Despite what you may have heard about Wisconsin’s finances, Wisconsin is on track to have a budget surplus this year." Club for Growth stated on February 18, 2011 in a television ad: When it comes to taking cuts in tough budget times, Wisconsin "state workers haven’t had to sacrifice." Ed Schultz stated on February 15, 2011 in a statement on his television talk show: Under changes being debated, state employees in Wisconsin "who earn $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 a year might have 20 percent of their income just disappear overnight." Alberta Darling stated on February 13, 2011 in an appearance on a TV interview program: Limiting labor negotiations to only wages is "how it is for the most part in the private sector." AFL-CIO stated on February 17, 2011 in a television ad: For thousands of public employees, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill would "take away any say they have in the workplace, and eliminate their union." Progressive Change Campaign Committee stated on February 14, 2011 in an email blast to supporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has threatened to call out the National Guard if workers protest against" changes to bargaining laws. Scott Walker stated on February 11, 2011 in a news conference: "The alternative" to higher state worker pension and health care payments "is to look at 1,500 layoffs of state employees or close to 200,000 children who would be bumped off Medicaid-related programs." Milele Coggs stated on February 3, 2011 in a news release: "In its current state, this bill is the most restrictive voter ID legislation in the nation." Chris Abele stated on February 11, 2011 in a campaign mailer: Says Milwaukee County elected officials drive around in luxury cars "on your dime." Scott Suder stated on January 28, 2011 in a news release: Four state Assembly Democrats "scored a death blow to northeast Wisconsin’s economy" by killing hundreds of jobs at a potential Bass Pro Shops near Green Bay. Jeff Stone stated on February 7, 2011 in a campaign radio ad: "I’m the only candidate for Milwaukee County executive that has voted against increasing government pensions." Jim Sullivan stated on January 31, 2011 in a meeting with Journal Sentinel reporters and editors: When the Milwaukee County mental health facility is full, "cops sit out there in their squad cars with a mentally ill patient" and sometimes "spend an entire shift out there doing that." Chris Abele stated on January 31, 2011 in a campaign news release: Property tax exemptions can be granted to small businesses that move into Milwaukee County. Scott Walker stated on February 1, 2011 in the State of the State speech: Most state employees could pay twice as much toward their health care premiums and it would still be half the national average Lee Holloway stated on January 21, 2011 in a statement at a candidate forum: The city building code violations on my properties only involve exterior issues; "within the households, it’s fine." Rebecca Kleefisch stated on January 26, 2011 in a news conference: "United States students are achieving at number 25 out of 29 developing countries when it comes to science and math."
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
Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference and many other venues: "We’re broke. We don’t have any more money." Ed Garvey stated on February 21, 2011 in a newspaper column and blog post: Claims Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said: "It is necessary to eliminate unions in order to balance future budgets." Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference: If public employees don’t pay more for benefits starting April 1, 2011, "the equivalent" is 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011 and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years. Mark Pocan stated on February 16, 2011 in a blog posting: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is "manufactured" and a "bogus figure." Scott Walker stated on February 23, 2011 in a news conference: "The things I said (during the prank call by a blogger posing as GOP contributor David Koch) are the things I’ve said publicly all along" about the Wisconsin budget debate. Scott Walker stated on February 22, 2011 in a secretly-recorded prank telephone call: When it comes to protesters in Madison, "almost all" are now from outside of Wisconsin. Scott Walker stated on February 19, 2011 in a news release: In 2009, Democratic Wisconsin state senators "rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input." Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference: "I campaigned on (the proposals in the budget repair bill for Wisconsin) all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years." Reince Priebus stated on February 18, 2011 in a statement to reporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in his budget repair bill "is showing that no stone goes unturned as he asks everyone to tighten their belts." Lena Taylor stated on February 15, 2011 in in a TV interview, as well as other venues: Hitler "abolished unions and that’s what" Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is "doing today." Jon Erpenbach stated on February 17, 2011 in a television interview: When it comes to urgency on passing a budget repair bill, "there’s no rush on this thing" because the fiscal year doesn’t end until June 30, 2011. Republican Party of Wisconsin stated on February 19, 2011 in a news release: At protests in Wisconsin against proposed collective bargaining changes, "phony sick notes (were) passed out to excuse striking union members." Scott Walker stated on February 18, 2011 in a radio interview: Says under his budget-repair bill, "collective bargaining is fully intact." Paul Ryan stated on February 17, 2011 in an appearance on a TV interview program: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s move to limit collective bargaining rights has led to "riots" at the Capitol -- "It's like Cairo has moved to Madison these days." Rachel Maddow stated on February 17, 2011 in a segment on her television talk show: "Despite what you may have heard about Wisconsin’s finances, Wisconsin is on track to have a budget surplus this year." Club for Growth stated on February 18, 2011 in a television ad: When it comes to taking cuts in tough budget times, Wisconsin "state workers haven’t had to sacrifice." Ed Schultz stated on February 15, 2011 in a statement on his television talk show: Under changes being debated, state employees in Wisconsin "who earn $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 a year might have 20 percent of their income just disappear overnight." Alberta Darling stated on February 13, 2011 in an appearance on a TV interview program: Limiting labor negotiations to only wages is "how it is for the most part in the private sector." AFL-CIO stated on February 17, 2011 in a television ad: For thousands of public employees, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill would "take away any say they have in the workplace, and eliminate their union." Progressive Change Campaign Committee stated on February 14, 2011 in an email blast to supporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has threatened to call out the National Guard if workers protest against" changes to bargaining laws. Scott Walker stated on February 11, 2011 in a news conference: "The alternative" to higher state worker pension and health care payments "is to look at 1,500 layoffs of state employees or close to 200,000 children who would be bumped off Medicaid-related programs." Milele Coggs stated on February 3, 2011 in a news release: "In its current state, this bill is the most restrictive voter ID legislation in the nation." Chris Abele stated on February 11, 2011 in a campaign mailer: Says Milwaukee County elected officials drive around in luxury cars "on your dime." Scott Suder stated on January 28, 2011 in a news release: Four state Assembly Democrats "scored a death blow to northeast Wisconsin’s economy" by killing hundreds of jobs at a potential Bass Pro Shops near Green Bay. Jeff Stone stated on February 7, 2011 in a campaign radio ad: "I’m the only candidate for Milwaukee County executive that has voted against increasing government pensions." Jim Sullivan stated on January 31, 2011 in a meeting with Journal Sentinel reporters and editors: When the Milwaukee County mental health facility is full, "cops sit out there in their squad cars with a mentally ill patient" and sometimes "spend an entire shift out there doing that." Chris Abele stated on January 31, 2011 in a campaign news release: Property tax exemptions can be granted to small businesses that move into Milwaukee County. Scott Walker stated on February 1, 2011 in the State of the State speech: Most state employees could pay twice as much toward their health care premiums and it would still be half the national average Lee Holloway stated on January 21, 2011 in a statement at a candidate forum: The city building code violations on my properties only involve exterior issues; "within the households, it’s fine." Rebecca Kleefisch stated on January 26, 2011 in a news conference: "United States students are achieving at number 25 out of 29 developing countries when it comes to science and math."
Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference and many other venues: "We’re broke. We don’t have any more money."
Ed Garvey stated on February 21, 2011 in a newspaper column and blog post: Claims Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said: "It is necessary to eliminate unions in order to balance future budgets."
Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference: If public employees don’t pay more for benefits starting April 1, 2011, "the equivalent" is 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011 and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years.
Mark Pocan stated on February 16, 2011 in a blog posting: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is "manufactured" and a "bogus figure."
Scott Walker stated on February 23, 2011 in a news conference: "The things I said (during the prank call by a blogger posing as GOP contributor David Koch) are the things I’ve said publicly all along" about the Wisconsin budget debate.
Scott Walker stated on February 22, 2011 in a secretly-recorded prank telephone call: When it comes to protesters in Madison, "almost all" are now from outside of Wisconsin.
Scott Walker stated on February 19, 2011 in a news release: In 2009, Democratic Wisconsin state senators "rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input."
Scott Walker stated on February 21, 2011 in a news conference: "I campaigned on (the proposals in the budget repair bill for Wisconsin) all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years."
Reince Priebus stated on February 18, 2011 in a statement to reporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in his budget repair bill "is showing that no stone goes unturned as he asks everyone to tighten their belts."
Lena Taylor stated on February 15, 2011 in in a TV interview, as well as other venues: Hitler "abolished unions and that’s what" Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is "doing today."
Jon Erpenbach stated on February 17, 2011 in a television interview: When it comes to urgency on passing a budget repair bill, "there’s no rush on this thing" because the fiscal year doesn’t end until June 30, 2011.
Republican Party of Wisconsin stated on February 19, 2011 in a news release: At protests in Wisconsin against proposed collective bargaining changes, "phony sick notes (were) passed out to excuse striking union members."
Scott Walker stated on February 18, 2011 in a radio interview: Says under his budget-repair bill, "collective bargaining is fully intact."
Paul Ryan stated on February 17, 2011 in an appearance on a TV interview program: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s move to limit collective bargaining rights has led to "riots" at the Capitol -- "It's like Cairo has moved to Madison these days."
Rachel Maddow stated on February 17, 2011 in a segment on her television talk show: "Despite what you may have heard about Wisconsin’s finances, Wisconsin is on track to have a budget surplus this year."
Club for Growth stated on February 18, 2011 in a television ad: When it comes to taking cuts in tough budget times, Wisconsin "state workers haven’t had to sacrifice."
Ed Schultz stated on February 15, 2011 in a statement on his television talk show: Under changes being debated, state employees in Wisconsin "who earn $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 a year might have 20 percent of their income just disappear overnight."
Alberta Darling stated on February 13, 2011 in an appearance on a TV interview program: Limiting labor negotiations to only wages is "how it is for the most part in the private sector."
AFL-CIO stated on February 17, 2011 in a television ad: For thousands of public employees, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill would "take away any say they have in the workplace, and eliminate their union."
Progressive Change Campaign Committee stated on February 14, 2011 in an email blast to supporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has threatened to call out the National Guard if workers protest against" changes to bargaining laws.
Scott Walker stated on February 11, 2011 in a news conference: "The alternative" to higher state worker pension and health care payments "is to look at 1,500 layoffs of state employees or close to 200,000 children who would be bumped off Medicaid-related programs."
Milele Coggs stated on February 3, 2011 in a news release: "In its current state, this bill is the most restrictive voter ID legislation in the nation."
Chris Abele stated on February 11, 2011 in a campaign mailer: Says Milwaukee County elected officials drive around in luxury cars "on your dime."
Scott Suder stated on January 28, 2011 in a news release: Four state Assembly Democrats "scored a death blow to northeast Wisconsin’s economy" by killing hundreds of jobs at a potential Bass Pro Shops near Green Bay.
Jeff Stone stated on February 7, 2011 in a campaign radio ad: "I’m the only candidate for Milwaukee County executive that has voted against increasing government pensions."
Jim Sullivan stated on January 31, 2011 in a meeting with Journal Sentinel reporters and editors: When the Milwaukee County mental health facility is full, "cops sit out there in their squad cars with a mentally ill patient" and sometimes "spend an entire shift out there doing that."
Chris Abele stated on January 31, 2011 in a campaign news release: Property tax exemptions can be granted to small businesses that move into Milwaukee County.
Scott Walker stated on February 1, 2011 in the State of the State speech: Most state employees could pay twice as much toward their health care premiums and it would still be half the national average
Lee Holloway stated on January 21, 2011 in a statement at a candidate forum: The city building code violations on my properties only involve exterior issues; "within the households, it’s fine."
Rebecca Kleefisch stated on January 26, 2011 in a news conference: "United States students are achieving at number 25 out of 29 developing countries when it comes to science and math."
