Politifact: Separating fact from fiction

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Our news partners at the Providence Journal continue to put public officials to the test, using the truth-o-meter.

The Politifact team helps you see through the spin, rating statements made by political candidates from true to false, to pants on fire.

First, a quote from the National Organization for Marriage Rhode Island Executive Director Christopher Plante. In a television interview, Plante said, "The Governor does not have any power to veto a referendum on same-sex marriage that would be a constitutional amendment."

This was ruled mostly true.

"Governor Chafee has said many times, he'd veto any attempt to put a yes or no vote on the ballot for same-sex marriage. However, if the legislature decided to do it as a constitutional amendment, the state constitution says the Governor couldn't do that. We ruled this mostly true," said Tim Murphy of the Providence Journal.

Next, a statement from the Providence City Council. In a council resolution they said,"Semi-automatic weapons, whether pistol or rifle, were designed for use by the military on the battlefield."

Tim Murphy says this statement is false.

"We talked to many military experts on weapons and they said that the first semi-automatic weapons were really designed for personal protection and hunting and the military didn't want anything to do with them for 40 years. We ruled this false."

Finally, when Chafee ran for governor in 2010 he vowed that if elected he would lower taxes in personal income and corporate profits when the economy improves.

"We waited awhile to check this promise until the economy really showed signs of recovery. In his recent budget, Governor Chafee did propose cutting corporate income taxes. Hasn't done anything yet on personal income  taxes so we ruled this in the works," said Murphy.

You can see the complete list of Politifact statements and ratings on the Providence Journal's website .