Post by Logan on May 8, 2016 6:15:06 GMT -6
Fact check: Gov. LePage statements on right-to-work and income incorrect
LEWISTON — Republican Gov. Paul LePage boldly invited the audience Wednesday at his town hall meeting to check his facts if they wanted to when he made the claim that workers in so-called "right-to-work" states make more money than those where labor unions hold more sway.
"I will just tell you the honest truth and you can do your own research," LePage said. "I don't need to do it for you. Right-to-work states make more money than union states. It's that simple. Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida: Go look at their per-capita income, their economies and then look at our economy — Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont."
But according to 2015 wage data available at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, LePage got it wrong.
Only three of the states LePage rattled off — Texas, Florida and Louisiana — have higher per-capita incomes than Maine; the other five do not.
Read more: www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2016/05/06/fact-check-gov-lepage-statements-right-work-and-income-incorrect/1919726
LEWISTON — Republican Gov. Paul LePage boldly invited the audience Wednesday at his town hall meeting to check his facts if they wanted to when he made the claim that workers in so-called "right-to-work" states make more money than those where labor unions hold more sway.
"I will just tell you the honest truth and you can do your own research," LePage said. "I don't need to do it for you. Right-to-work states make more money than union states. It's that simple. Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida: Go look at their per-capita income, their economies and then look at our economy — Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont."
But according to 2015 wage data available at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, LePage got it wrong.
Only three of the states LePage rattled off — Texas, Florida and Louisiana — have higher per-capita incomes than Maine; the other five do not.
Read more: www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2016/05/06/fact-check-gov-lepage-statements-right-work-and-income-incorrect/1919726