Rep. John Boehner’s ice maker claim rated as No. 4

After making more than 100 Truth-O-Meter rulings, the editors who rate the items for PolitiFact Ohio looked back over the year and selected the Top 10 for 2010.

Today we offer No. 4: A statement about quirky aspects of the tax laws that were part of health care reform legislation. The statement was part of Rep. John Boehner’s speech to the City Club of Cleveland in August.

Congressional Democrats found a lot of ways to pay for the country’s health insurance overhaul, some more popular than others. But one in particular had small lawn services, work-at-home parents and the nation’s smallest businesses mighty concerned.

In a move to increase government revenues for health care while cutting tax abuses, Congress included a provision in the bill, approved in March, requiring businesses to file Internal Revenue Service reports on expenditures above $600 to any single vendor.

That stirred Boehner’s ire. He railed on the regulation as ridiculously burdensome when he spoke to the City Club.

“If a landscaper wants to buy a new lawnmower, or a restaurant needs a new ice-maker, they have to report that to the feds.  If you’re a mom-and-pop grocery store, and you buy $1,000 worth of merchandise from 15 different vendors, that’s 15 different forms you have to file.”

PolitiFact Ohio took a look at his statement then. And we still thought it was interesting enough now to be No. 4.

Previously

• No. 10 through No. 5 in PolitiFact Ohio’s countdown of the Top 10 for 2010.

Coming Wednesday

• A statement from Rob Portman’s U.S. Senage campaign gets our vote for No. 3.