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The Observatory - Produced by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The Observatory (https://observatory.journalism.wisc.edu/author/msweitzer/)

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Madeline Sweitzer

Mostly True

How much do workers in central Wisconsin make? We check out Dave Considine’s estimates

By Madeline Sweitzer Published December 14, 2016

Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, said most of his area’s employers pay $10 or $11 an hour. When it comes to store clerks and farm workers, he is pretty close to right.

Mostly False

State representative misrepresents transportation budget figures

By Madeline Sweitzer Published November 14, 2016

Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, said at least 25 of the state’s transportation budget goes just to pay interest on previous loans. Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Legislative Fiscal Bureau numbers tell a different story.

Unobservable

Is marijuana a gateway drug? A state assembly hopeful says so

By Madeline Sweitzer Published October 20, 2016

The Observatory decided to check if current research on marijuana’s relationship with more dangerous drugs is settled science or still up for debate.

Fact-Checks from Around the State and Nation

Donald Trump says tariffs will make America rich again. Economists disagree

Will tariffs make America rich again?

Source: Politifact.com

Did Trump sign an executive order to prevent illegal immigrants from getting welfare?

A meme shared on the right-wing Facebook page “Rowdy Republican” claimed that President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bars illegal immigrants from collecting welfare benefits.

Source: checkyourfact.com

Is Mexico Paying for the Wall Through USMCA?

President Donald Trump declared via Twitter that he is keeping perhaps his most famous campaign promise, claiming that “MEXICO IS PAYING FOR THE WALL!” through a recent trade agreement negotiated with Mexico. But economic and trade experts we interviewed said that’s not possible.

Source: FactCheck.org

Trump Wrong About Poverty ‘Record’

The U.S. Census Bureau officially estimates that close to 1 million fewer people were in poverty in 2017 compared with 2016. President Donald Trump called the decline “a record,” but it’s not.

Source: FactCheck.org

PolitiFact’s 2018 Lie of the Year coverage

Links and summaries to Politifact's 2018 Lie of the Year coverage.

Source: Politifact.com

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About Us

The Observatory harnesses the efforts of University of Wisconsin-Madison student journalists, the expertise of UW scholars, and the Wisconsin-centered platforms of our partners to connect and engage voters in Wisconsin and beyond to provide information vital to the practice of democracy.

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The Observatory
5164 Vilas Hall, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
821 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53706
observatory@journalism.wisc.edu
608-263-3392

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