The Greater Wisconsin Political Fund has released an ad targeting Gov. Scott Walker that falsely alleges that he repealed a law making it “easier for corporations to pay women less money than men.” Opponents of Senate Bill 202 (2011 Wisconsin Act 219), which repeals punitive and compensatory damages under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, continue to make this claim despite the fact that multiple non-partisan news organizations have rated such statements as “false” and “misleading.”
- WISC-TV (Channel 3) reporter Jessica Arp labeled a similar ad by Mayor Tom Barrett as “misleading.”
- “Wisconsin recall challenger Tom Barrett says Gov. Scott Walker says ‘no’ to equal pay for women” (Rated “False”) – May 17, 2012, PolitiFact Wisconsin (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
- “Dem in Wisconsin governor recall says GOP-backed bill means women ‘can’t do something about’ pay discrimination” (Rated “False”) – April 10, 2012, PolitiFact Wisconsin (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
- “Wisconsin GOP bill would repeal law ensuring pay equity for women, Dem lawmaker says” (Rated “Mostly False”) – March 12, 2012, PolitiFact Wisconsin (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
Apparently opponents of Act 219 believe in the theory that if you say something enough times, it eventually becomes true and therefore you win the argument.