Another ad critical of the governor's budget proposal has hit the airwaves, and this one seems to be a bit more controversial, reports News 3's Colin Benedict in this Reality Check test.

---

Maybe you've seen the new political ad with two fishermen talking about Gov. Jim Doyle's record on taxes. It's airing on WISC-TV3 and other stations.

The ad was created by the Coalition for America's Families and attacks Doyle for his proposal to extend domestic partner benefits to UW employees. ( Doyle Budget Details )

The ad began running Monday, and it starts with two fishermen trying to reel in "the big one."

"That Gov. Doyle sure tells a good story. He said he wouldn't raise taxes. Fact is, his budget raises taxes and fees by $368 million."

That statement needs clarification, News 3 reported. First, Doyle said in the 2002 campaign and many times since that he would balance the budget without raising taxes. That's true. But, when pressed, he's always classified it as only the big three: income, sales and corporate taxes -- not property taxes and not state-imposed fees.

As for the $368 million, the proposal does hike taxes and fees that amount. But again, it needs clarification, News 3 reported.

To understand it better, here's the second part of this ad:

"Higher fees on nursing home beds, health insurance -- and up to 60 percent more for hunting and fishing licenses."

Video

Reality Check: Hunting, Fishing Ad Against Doyle Budget Misleading?

Some of the fees don't necessarily mean more money out of your pocket, News 3 reported. For instance, each nursing home bed will be charged $50 more to bring in an additional $52 million. And HMOs will be seeing a surcharge of 6 percent of their gross revenues through a fee, adding up to $88 million.

However, both of those fees are increased to get matching funds from the federal government. In the end, the state is raising the reimbursement rates to both nursing homes and HMOs for treating people on programs like Medicaid and Badgercare. In both cases: The HMOs and the nursing homes get back more money then they put in -- $12 million more for HMOs and $35 million more for nursing homes.

The only group to actually pay more are the 22 percent of nursing home residents that completely pay their own way -- with no help from the government. They will likely see a $50 a month increase.

What about hunting and fishing licenses? The ad says, " ... and up to 60 percent more for hunting and fishing licenses." But that needs clarification, too, News 3 reported. The governor proposed hiking a number of hunting and fishing licenses. The deer fee is a 60 percent increase from $20 to $32. But the annual fishing license fee was a proposed $3 hike -- from $17 to $20, which is roughly 18 percent. Most of the fees fall somewhere in between.

"Did you know that Gov. Doyle wants to use some of that money to give the partners of gay state employees, free health insurance? Is that a whopper or what?"

That statement is misleading, News 3 reported. First, neither the HMO fee, nursing bed fee nor the DNR fees could be used to pay for domestic partner benefits. Some of the $368 million could be used, but to show the two fishermen imply it's that fee and that's wrong.

Plus, Doyle's plan wouldn't provide free health insurance. It would extend UW System Health coverage to domestic partners. The partners would still have to pay for a portion of their coverage, just like every other state employee. It would not be free.

The ad is airing in Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay.

An attorney for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin faxed a letter to WISC-TV Wednesday, asking the station to pull the ad off the air saying, " ... these false, misleading and deceptive ads by your station could make your station liable for damages."

WISC-TV General Manager David Sanks said the station has denied similar requests in the past, erring on the side of free speech. He also said, "While it has a point-of-view, we believe this commercial falls within the realm of fair comment on a matter of public policy."

Coalition for America's Families chairman Steve King calls the request to pull the ad "preposterous." However late Wednesday afternoon, the Coalition for America's Families cancelled an ad purchase they had on WISC-TV for next week.

The current ad will air on WISC-TV through Sunday.