Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

16 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

20 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

20 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

20 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

21 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

21 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

21 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

21 hours ago
Measure P Architect Talks About Where New Version Is Headed
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
February 12, 2020

Share

Elliott Balch, one of the architects of 2018’s Measure P and now working on a new parks/public safety tax, says things are on track to get it to the ballot in November.
“The injection of resources for our parks, arts, and trails would be transformational, as would the fire service level and the commitment to community policing made possible by the public safety funding,” Balch tells Politics 101.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub
David Taub
Politics 101
As of now, the sales tax hike appears to as be as mayoral candidate Andrew Janz described it Monday: 0.75% in the city of Fresno, with half going to parks and related programs, and half going to public safety (divided equally between police and fire), with a 20-year sunset. If the proposal passes, it would bring in an estimated $75 million a year.
The city’s sales tax is 7.975%. The sales tax rate in Clovis is identical.
Ever since Measure P failed, groups have been meeting for another version. Balch, the COO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, says the proposal is a “starting point.”
Backers of a sales tax hike plan to meet with Mayor Lee Brand soon. Brand opposed Measure P in 2018.
The plan, according to Balch, is for the city council to place the item on the ballot. That would require five votes. It would also make it clear that the measure needs two-thirds voter support to pass.
However, that threshold is still a matter of a legal fight involving Measure P. Because it was placed on the ballot through the signature process, supporters argue it needed only a majority, which it did receive (52%). A Fresno Superior Court judge disagreed, and the case is in the hands of an appellate court.
“Like Measure P, what reaches the ballot this year is sure to fill only a portion of the needs identified in (the Parks Master Plan). However, a dedicated local funding source will make it possible for the city to bring in additional matching resources from outside Fresno,” Balch said.

Recall Slatic Update

Supporters of recalling Fresno Unified Trustee Terry Slatic are officially on the clock.
The six-month time limit to gather 7,500 signatures has started, according to the Fresno County Elections office. The deadline to turn in signatures is May 12.
According to the group’s website, it has 914 signatures. They must all be turned in together.
Through the end of 2019, the official Recall Slatic campaign group raised $6,625. Nasreen Johnson, who ran against Static for the school board position in 2018, contributed $500.
The campaign spent $4,103, much of it on filing fees and fundraising. According to the records, Stacy Williams, one of the recall’s leaders, received $1,000 for professional services, namely as a field organizer.
Meanwhile, Slatic has formed a committee for a 2022 reelection campaign but nothing specifically to fight a recall.

Patterson Wants to Change Proposition Process

Official Assembly portrait of Assemblyman Jim Patterson
Jim Patterson
Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) wants to alter a key aspect of the state’s proposition process — how the titles and summaries are written.
The attorney general is charged with writing the title and description. Patterson is proposing a constitutional amendment that would give that power to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst.
“Instead of getting accurate and truthful titles and explanations for ballot measures, voters are being lied to at the ballot box,” Patterson said in a news release. “Unfortunately, this has become part of the political process in our state.”
As an example, Patterson cited a November initiative to alter 1978’s landmark Proposition 13, which changed how property tax is calculated.
Instead of “Requires certain commercial and industrial real property to be taxed based on fair-market value. Dedicates portion of any increased revenue to education and local services. Initiative constitutional amendment,” which Patterson said polled poorly, Attorney General Xavier Becerra wrote this as the measure’s new title:
“Increases funding for public schools, community colleges, and local government services by changing tax assessment of commercial and industrial property. Initiative constitutional amendment.”
Two-thirds of the Assembly and Senate would need to agree to put Patterson’s proposal on the ballot. Then voters would have to pass the amendment with a 50% plus one majority for it to take effect.

Bliatout Endorsements

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) is endorsing Bobby Bliatout in his run for Congress.
Bliatout is one of three Democrats in the race against incumbent Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) in the 22nd District. The top two vote-getters regardless of party advance to the November ballot.
“Throughout his life, he has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to stand up for underrepresented communities and our most vulnerable residents. I’m proud to support Bobby Bliatout for Congress,” Hurtado said in a statement.
 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

DON'T MISS

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

UP NEXT

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

UP NEXT

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

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

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

14 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

14 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

14 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

15 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

15 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

15 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

16 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

16 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

16 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

17 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

13 hours ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
13 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
13 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
13 hours ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
14 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
14 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

14 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
15 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
15 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

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

Search

Send this to a friend