Perry's Deceptive Advertising Analyzed by the Lone Star Project

by: faithm

Wed May 31, 2006 at 00:23 PM CDT

This post is taken from their release:

Rick Perry Airs Misleading Ad
Facts Dispute Perry Claims

Last week, Rick Perry began airing a television ad bragging and taking credit for everything from tax cuts to teacher pay.  The Lone Star Project analyzed the ad and found that it simply does not stand up to close scrutiny.  Perry’s comments are consistently deceptive and incomplete.

A video “fact check” of the Perry ad can be viewed on the Lone Star Project website.  We have also included a written transcript of the Perry ad with each claim “fact checked” by the Lone Star Project.

Perry Ad Fact Check
Claim 1 - Deceptive

Rick Perry:  A fifteen billion dollar tax cut and more money for our schools.  We kept our promises to you.  The average homeowner will receive a two thousand dollar tax cut.

Fact:  The average Texas homeowner will receive only a $150 property tax cut this year.

Source:
“[John] Sharp [Perry appointed Chairman of the Texas Tax Reform Commission] said the owner of an average home, which he described as appraised at about $118,000, would save about $150 in property taxes in the first year.” (Source: Austin American-Statesman, Friday, May 26, 2006 )

Claim 2 – Deceptive and Incomplete
Rick Perry:  Every teacher will receive a well deserved pay raise.

Fact:  Texas Teachers will still be paid $4,000 less than the national average.

Source:
Average Salaries ($) of Public School Teachers, 2004–05
National Education Association

U.S. Average Salary $46,808
Texas  $41,009  RANK 33
(Source: National Education Assn. Statistical Ranking of the States http://www.nea.org/edstats/images/05rankings-update.pdf )

Rick Perry: We closed corporate loopholes
Fact:  Big banks, insurance companies and large landowners will receive more than $800 million in tax cuts.

Source:

Texas Legislative Budget Board
Tax/Fee Equity Note HB1 and HB3

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate 
  Change in
Liability Under HB 1 [in $ Millions]  -961.6
  Change in
Liability Under HB 3 [in $ Millions]  160.1
  Net Change in Liability Under HB1 and 3 [in $ Millions]  -801.5

(Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board
Tax/Fee Equity Note HB1 and HB3)

Fact:  Texas has the 8th highest sales tax rate – higher than New York, Michigan and Massachusetts. 

Source:

Federation of Tax Administrators,
State Sales Tax Rates
January 1, 2006

Rank 40  NEW YORK STATE  TAX RATES 4
Rank 29  MASSACHUSETTS  TAX RATE  5
Rank 14  MICHIGAN  TAX RATE  6
Rank  8  TEXAS  TAX RATE  6.25
( Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Unemployment
Rates for States Apr. 2006)

Claim 5 – Deceptive and Incomplete
Rick Perry: And we’re protecting our job climate. The best in the nation.

Fact: Texas unemployment ranks 38th - worse than Oklahoma, Alabama and West Virginia.

Source:

Unemployment Rates for States Monthly Rankings
Seasonally Adjusted April 2006
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Rank 13  Alabama  Rate 3.6
Rank 17  Oklahoma  Rate 3.9
Rank 19  West Virginia  Rate 4.1
Rank 38  Texas  Rate 5.1

(Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm)

Rick Perry: Lower property taxes, higher teacher salaries, and the largest tax cut in history. That’s good for Texas.

Summary:  Claims made in Perry ad are consistently deceptive and incomplete.

The Lone Star Project is an activity of the Lone Star Fund.  The disclaimer at the bottom of their report states: Paid for by The Lone Star Fund, 6 E St, SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.