Friday, May 17 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:56:28 GMT
In this week's Politifact Virginia report we get a status check on Governor McDonnell's term in office. When he ran for office the governor made a promise to help increase the number of babies born healthyMore >>
In this week's Politifact Virginia report we get a status check on Governor McDonnell's term in office.More >>
Friday, April 12 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-04-12 22:03:42 GMT
In this week's Politifact Virginia report, Congressman Bobby Scott doesn't like the budget proposed by Republican House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan. Scott in particular is upset about Ryan's plans for theMore >>
In this week's Politifact Virginia report, Congressman Bobby Scott doesn't like the budget proposed by Republican House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan. Scott in particular is upset about Ryan's plans for the Obama Health Care Reform Plan.More >>
Wednesday, February 20 2013 11:23 PM EST2013-02-21 04:23:01 GMT
The General Assembly has approved broad new requirements when it comes to the identification you'll be asked to show when you cast your ballot. This change comes just one year after the General AssemblyMore >>
The General Assembly has approved broad new requirements when it comes to the identification you'll be asked to show when you cast your ballot.More >>
Friday, February 8 2013 7:28 PM EST2013-02-09 00:28:16 GMT
In this week's Politifact Virginia report Governor Bob McDonnell would like to get rid of the state's gas tax and replace it with a bump in the state sales tax to help pay for transportation. Senate MinorityMore >>
In this week's Politifact Virginia report Governor Bob McDonnell would like to get rid of the state's gas tax and replace it with a bump in the state sales tax to help pay for transportation. Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw doesn't think the plan will work.More >>
Friday, February 1 2013 9:17 PM EST2013-02-02 02:17:49 GMT
Governor McDonnell is enlisting some star power to push his public school grading scale. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is backing the governor's plan to rate schools on an A to F scale. The SunshineMore >>
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is backing the governor's plan to rate schools on an A to F scale. The Sunshine State implemented a similar system when Bush was governor.More >>
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
The third party political action group Crossroads GPS is back. Running up another long line of attacks on Senate candidate Tim Kaine.
Here is their latest ad: "When Tim Kaine was governor, spending soared, blowing holes in the budget every year," the commercial begins.
Is that true? Did spending "soar" under Tim Kaine's leadership in Richmond? According to the reporters at Politifact Virginia that claim is "mostly false".
Yes, spending did go up when Tim Kaine was governor. The state budget went up 5.9 billion dollars, and 18.4 percent increase. Much of that growth though were in areas Kaine had little control over like hospitals and college tuition and fees. In addition to the shaky ground Crossroads is on when it comes to spending, according to Politifact reporter Sean Gorman the link between that and budget shortfalls is off the mark.
"That economic downturn stared at least a year into Tim Kaine's, actually 2 years into Tim Kaine's term. It started in December of 2007 and actually went into June of 2009. So the key thing to keep in mind is it's not the spending that caused the shortfalls it was the drop-off in the revenues from the economic downturn," Gorman said.
You can see all the information behind this week's Politifact Virginia report on their web site, www.politifactvirginia.com.
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