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Council Set to Vote on $1M Planned Parenthood Grant. Mayor Issues Warning
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
August 16, 2022

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The Fresno City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday to provide a $1 million grant to a local Planned Parenthood clinic. Mayor Jerry Dyer is raising concerns.

A spokesperson for Dyer says the mayor intends to veto the funding if it reaches his desk.

The money was approved as part of the state budget. The Fresno City Council is set to vote on the matter Thursday in their role as a  “pass-through” agency, meaning the city accepts state money and acts as a grantor to the recipient. Opposition, led by Councilman Garry Bredefeld, is forming.

Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, arranged for the grant during the budget process. Dyer, in a letter earlier this month to Arambula, said thanks, but no thanks.

“Acting in an administrative capacity for this potentially divisive issue is not in the best interest of the City of Fresno, and will likely cause division, extensive local debate among our residents and elected officials, and prove to be an unnecessary distraction from the City’s core mission,” Dyer wrote on Aug. 3.

Dyer’s predictions have seemingly come true. Bredefeld has scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference with other abortion foes to oppose the resolution.

Messages to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte were not returned.

Part of a $9.5 Million Package

“Acting in an administrative capacity for this potentially divisive issue is not in the best interest of the City of Fresno.”Mayor Jerry Dyer

Because of state budget regulations, the money cannot be transferred directly to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, or other entities. The same city council resolution would give the Arte Americas cultural center $7 million, and deliver $1.5 million to Neighborhood Industries, a local nonprofit that provides job skills training.

Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria, Miguel Arias and Luis Chavez have expressed their support for the resolution. It would need five votes to pass with veto-proof margin.

Arambula’s office declined to comment for this story, preferring to wait until after Thursday’s vote.

Bredefeld is already on the attack.

“Accepting $1,000,000 of state taxpayer money to give to the local abortion clinic will result in the deaths of more unborn children. There is no rationale for it being on the Council agenda except for radical State and City Council politicians pandering to those in support of abortion. This resolution and misuse of taxpayer money is a complete disgrace,” Bredefeld said in a news release.

Information posted on Twitter by Bredefeld shows how the money would be spent.

“Planned Parenthood Mar Monte health center needs a complete re-design for improved efficiency so access to sexual and reproductive health services can be maintained while they expand abortion access in the Post-Roe World,” according to a memorandum from Arambula’s office.

Specifically, the funding would go toward exam tables, ultrasound equipment, and to remodel medical records rooms and office space.

Research from Forbes shows Planned Parenthood’s nationwide revenues of $1.6 billion and assets of $2 billion for 2021.

Dyer Suggests Alternative

In his letter to Arambula, Dyer suggested another agency — such as the Fresno County health department — be selected to “pass through” the funds.

“It is my understanding that a simple fix would involve very minor trailer bill language to identify another local administrator,” Dyer wrote.

Arambula’s office did not indicate whether they would heed Dyer’s advice.

Read Dyer’s Letter to Arambula

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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