With two half-cent sales taxes aimed at improving local roads and subsidizing bus service potentially on the November ballot, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer has a suggestion for voters.

Vote for both, Dyer said during a Tuesday night appearance on the GV Wire podcast “Unfiltered.”

Dyer explained that a sunset clause in the city’s half-cent proposal benefitting the general fund would immediately kill the sales tax if the countywide Better Roads Safe Streets proposal ends up on the ballot and is approved by voters.

Approval of the city’s sales tax hike would provide “insurance” against the potential loss of millions in funding for street repairs and Fresno’s FAX bus system, Dyer said.

In addition, approval of both wouldn’t raise the city’s or the county’s sales taxes. That’s because Better Roads Safe Streets would replace the expiring Measure C. And the city tax wouldn’t take effect if the county measure is approved.

A Race Against the Clock

To make it on the Nov. 3 ballot, Better Road Safe Streets will need help from the state Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom after it received a procedural block from a majority of Fresno County supervisors. Gut-and-amend legislation carried by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and state Sen. Anna Caballero calls for it to be placed on the ballot anyway.

A Senate hearing on the bill was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and it will be heard in the Assembly on Thursday. The legislation, Assembly Bill 1923, faces a Friday ballot deadline. The bill must receive two-thirds approval in both chambers, which is a distinct possibility because of the Democrats’ supermajorities.

The city’s tax proposal is also racing against the clock. Dyer said it must still be cleared by the City Clerk and City Attorney offices and the Fresno County’s election chief.

Dyer also revealed that a credible poll had been conducted on the city versions and the numbers “looked really good.” Perhaps that’s because it’s for 10 years while Better Road Safe Streets is for 30 years. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to predict transportation needs that far ahead.

The mayor described the intrigue, drama, and twists involving Better Roads Safe Streets as providing the script for a film.

“There are so many players and personalities in this thing, somebody should make a movie,” he said.

Want to Be Heard on the San Joaquin River Parkway?

You might recall that Newsom made big news with his Earth Announcement about three future California state parks.

One of them is the San Joaquin River Parkway in Fresno and Madera counties.

The state is hosting in-person and virtual workshops to gather local opinions about access, recreation, education, cultural and historic interpretation, and other community needs.

Each workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more about the sites, ask questions and share ideas for their future. Spanish translation will be available at all workshops, and as will live captioning during the virtual workshops.

The in-person workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Madera Community College Administration Building, 30277 Avenue 12.

The first of two virtual workshops, which will also take input on Feather River Park and Dust Bowl Camp, is set for 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11. The link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83497388023.

The second virtual workshop is 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20. That link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89812071221.

Maddy Report Will Air on KVPR

KVPR (89.3 Fresno/89.1 Bakersfield) will air the Maddy Institute’s highly respected public affairs show beginning Sunday, Aug. 16, at 3:30 p.m.

The Institute’s Maddy Report features conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and professionals on public policy issues impacting Valley communities.

“We think this is a natural fit between our organizations, and is driven by our shared non-partisan, public-service missions,” said Joe Moore, general manager of KVPR, in a news release. “We’re excited to bring The Maddy Report to our airwaves, stretching from Kern to Merced Counties.”

Blake Zante, the institute’s executive director and Maddy Report host, said the show’s goal is to inspire “public leadership through informed civic engagement.”

Fresno City Attorney’s Office Hires Communications Chief

As the duties of the Fresno City Attorney’s Office have expanded under Andrew Janz, so has its communications needs.

On Wednesday, Janz announced the hiring of Marcelino Valdez Jr. as the office’s communications director. His duties: direct press relations, public information, digital media, and multilingual outreach for the office and Code Enforcement.

Valdez has more than 10 years’ experience directing public affairs and media strategy across local, state, and national platforms.

It won’t be an easy assignment. Valdez must clearly communicate about often complex legal matters, major financial settlements, and regulatory issues.

“He has the exact skill set needed to communicate our aggressive work to enforce city codes and protect Fresno taxpayers,” Janz said in a news release.

Said Valdez: “I’m proud to join City Attorney Janz in serving our community. Whether we are cracking down on bad actors or supporting local small businesses, our priority is giving every Fresno resident direct, clear access to the services and legal protections this office provides.”