MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Generations” and “Theresa Abed” Who: Citizens to Elect Deb Shaughnessy State Representative, Michigan Democratic Party What: Radio ad (Shaughnessy), mailer (Abed) Truth Squad calls: Foul on Shaughnessy, Foul on Democrats/Abed. Shaughnessy ad Questionable statement: “Her opponent, Theresa Abed, voted for lifetime healthcare for county politicians, like herself.” Democrat Theresa Abed is […]
Michigan Government
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Anti-Prop 2 ads get 'no foul' ruling from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Michigan kids don’t need teacher strikes” and “School safety” Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, anti-ballot proposal group, and Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, an anti-Prop 2 group What: TV ads Truth Squad call: No foul. Proposal 2 would “grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Technical foul on pro-home health care claim
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Monette,” “Gene” and “Proposal” Who: Citizens for Affordable Quality Home Care What: “Monette,” TV/Internet ad; “Gene,” TV/Internet ad; “Proposal,” a mailer from Home Care First, Inc. Truth Squad call: Technical foul Few proposals on 2012’s crowded ballot require as much background knowledge, for a fully informed vote, as Proposal 4, which […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Anti-Prop 3 ad earns technical fouls on cost claim, wind turbine longevity
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Place” – TV ad, “$12 Billion” – mailer Who: CARE, anti-Proposal 3 group What: TV ad and mailer Truth Squad call: Technical fouls Questionable statements: “Make no mistake — Michigan families will pay the $12 billion price tag for this energy experiment.” (TV ad) “Proposal 3 will cost Michigan $12 billion […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Pro-Proposal 3 ad gets technical foul for jobs language
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS — “Forward” Who: Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs — Pro-Proposal 3 group What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Technical foul Questionable statement: “Michigan is falling behind in the clean energy race. Thirty other states have already passed measures similar to Proposal 3.” The forward ad cites a July 6, 2012, Crain’s Detroit […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad says 'no foul' on Stabenow ad touting auto votes
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Companies like Mine” Who: Stabenow for Senate What: TV and Web ad Truth Squad call: No foul Questionable statement: “At American Expedition Vehicles we have over 500 employees and their jobs are in jeopardy due to counterfeit parts coming out of China.” American Expedition Vehicles is a Livonia-based company that […]
Posted inMichigan Government
No-change claim from pro-Prop 2 ad doesn't stand up; Truth Squad calls foul
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYIS: “Protect” Who: Protect Our Jobs What: Internet ad, “Protect” Truth Squad call: Foul The “Protect” ad comes from Protect Our Jobs, a ballot committee with support from union interests and Democratic elected officials, among others that is pushing Proposal 2, a constitutional amendment on collective bargaining rights. As of a July […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad blows whistle on both sides' ads
Proposal 3, one of six measures on the statewide ballot on Nov. 6, seeks to install in the Michigan Constitution a requirement for the use of electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Michigan currently has a state law that mandates a 10 percent “renewable portfolio standard” by 2015. Under Proposal […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guard knows danger lurks inside prison walls, but still loves his job
Five weeks into his new job as a corrections officer at a state prison, Robert McGaffigan received a horrific lesson on the dangers of the work. Tammy Sperle was a civilian worker who operated the prison store at what was then the Huron Valley Men’s Facility when an inmate angry about losing his job there […]
Posted inMichigan Government
House narrows, approves ‘4 strikes’ bill on felons
Concerns about prison costs this year have not deterred the Legislature’s appetite to tweak Michigan sentencing rules. Last week, the House, following the Senate, approved a version of a “four strikes” bill designed to put violent offenders behind bars for a minimum sentence of 25 years. Senate Bill 1109 passed the House last week on […]
