Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
As Voters Decide on Support Tax, How Does Fresno Rank for Veterans?
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 2 years ago on
October 31, 2022

Share

Fresno is one of the worst places for military veterans to live, according to a survey released Monday by a personal finance website.

WalletHub rated Fresno 92nd for veterans among the 100 largest U.S. cities.

The report — which comes as Fresno voters weigh in on the Measure M veterans sales tax support proposal — rated the cities in 20 categories, including housing affordability and skilled employment opportunities.

If passed by voters on Nov. 8, Measure M would increase Fresno’s sales tax by 1/8th of a cent and generate an estimated $19.5 million annually for 20 years. The measure’s spending plan calls for one-third of the new revenue to go to veterans services, one-third to facilities, and the remaining third to either services or facilities.

Measure M Could Fund Housing, Job Training for Veterans

Examples of how the facility funds could be spent include affordable housing for veterans and facilities such as the Fresno Memorial Auditorium. Potential services include job training and job placement assistance, and medical and mental health care.

I think we frankly are way overtaxed as a society. But there’s clearly a need for veterans,”  said Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld after the council voted unanimously to put Measure M on the ballot. “This is something we’re also going to be very proud of as we continue to support veterans.”

And, in an example of a rare agreement between the council’s conservative and progressive wings, Miguel Arias is wholeheartedly supporting the sales tax.

“This is long overdue. Our veterans … deserve nothing but the best,” said Miguel Arias.

Homelessness, Poverty Challenge Fresno Veterans

The survey dinged Fresno hard for having a high number of homeless veterans relative to its population (86th) and the percentage of veterans living in poverty (76th),

“How good or bad a city is for veterans depends on various factors, from the quality of the city’s VA facilities and its retirement-friendliness to the rates of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. All cities should make taking care of veterans’ needs a priority, considering how much veterans have sacrificed to serve the country and keep it safe,” said Jill Gonzalez, a Wallet Hub analyst.

“We spend a massive amount of money on national defense and military operations, yet a comparatively small amount on helping veterans once their service is done. It is unacceptable that there are tens of thousands of homeless veterans; that number should be reduced to zero.”

Read the full survey at this link.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Fentanyl ‘King’ Gets 23 Years in Federal Prison

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Leaders Saying About Anti-Deportation Protests?

DON'T MISS

IRS Issues Stimulus Payments Again. Who Is Getting Them?

DON'T MISS

Mike McCarthy Won’t Return as Dallas Cowboys Coach: AP Source

DON'T MISS

As Crazy as It Sounds, Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy Could Work

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Lands Minnesota Defensive Tackle and De La Salle Linebacker

DON'T MISS

DeSantis Calls Special Session To Implement Trump’s Immigration Policies

DON'T MISS

Mayor Jerry Dyer Shares What Fresno Can Expect in 2025

DON'T MISS

Veterans Are Bright Spot in Dismal National Homelessness Report. What Can We Learn?

DON'T MISS

How Much Did Beyoncé Donate to LA Wildfire Relief?

UP NEXT

What Are Fresno Leaders Saying About Anti-Deportation Protests?

UP NEXT

IRS Issues Stimulus Payments Again. Who Is Getting Them?

UP NEXT

Mike McCarthy Won’t Return as Dallas Cowboys Coach: AP Source

UP NEXT

As Crazy as It Sounds, Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy Could Work

UP NEXT

Fresno State Lands Minnesota Defensive Tackle and De La Salle Linebacker

UP NEXT

DeSantis Calls Special Session To Implement Trump’s Immigration Policies

UP NEXT

Mayor Jerry Dyer Shares What Fresno Can Expect in 2025

UP NEXT

Veterans Are Bright Spot in Dismal National Homelessness Report. What Can We Learn?

UP NEXT

How Much Did Beyoncé Donate to LA Wildfire Relief?

UP NEXT

Jeff Bezos’ Space Company Calls off Debut Launch in Final Minutes of Countdown

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Mike McCarthy Won’t Return as Dallas Cowboys Coach: AP Source

2 hours ago

As Crazy as It Sounds, Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy Could Work

2 hours ago

Fresno State Lands Minnesota Defensive Tackle and De La Salle Linebacker

2 hours ago

DeSantis Calls Special Session To Implement Trump’s Immigration Policies

2 hours ago

Mayor Jerry Dyer Shares What Fresno Can Expect in 2025

3 hours ago

Veterans Are Bright Spot in Dismal National Homelessness Report. What Can We Learn?

3 hours ago

How Much Did Beyoncé Donate to LA Wildfire Relief?

3 hours ago

Jeff Bezos’ Space Company Calls off Debut Launch in Final Minutes of Countdown

4 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Marquis Dennis Roberts

5 hours ago

Los Angeles Wildfire Deaths Rise to 24 as More Fierce Winds Are Forecast

6 hours ago

Fresno’s Fentanyl ‘King’ Gets 23 Years in Federal Prison

Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., 24, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday to 23 years and one month in prison on drug trafficking charges. Acting U...

26 minutes ago

Fentanyl M30 Pills
26 minutes ago

Fresno’s Fentanyl ‘King’ Gets 23 Years in Federal Prison

49 minutes ago

What Are Fresno Leaders Saying About Anti-Deportation Protests?

Photo of IRS building
1 hour ago

IRS Issues Stimulus Payments Again. Who Is Getting Them?

Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy
2 hours ago

Mike McCarthy Won’t Return as Dallas Cowboys Coach: AP Source

2 hours ago

As Crazy as It Sounds, Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy Could Work

2 hours ago

Fresno State Lands Minnesota Defensive Tackle and De La Salle Linebacker

2 hours ago

DeSantis Calls Special Session To Implement Trump’s Immigration Policies

3 hours ago

Mayor Jerry Dyer Shares What Fresno Can Expect in 2025

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend