A powerful Southern California government agency is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay the controversial VMT law. The Southern California Association of Governments — which represents six counties and more than 19 million people — spoke of housing shortage concerns and immediate negative impacts on minorities. Making separate requests of...
After NAACP Workshop, Fresno Agrees to Police Commission
The Fresno City Council will form a Commission on Police Reform. That announcement by council president Miguel Arias came after the Fresno State chapter of the NAACP presented a new and updated list of demands to City Hall and the police department. The campus group — which came to the...
Fresno Moves Ahead On Budget Hearings, Despite No Budget
Budget hearings start Tuesday in Fresno, but the city council will have limited information on how much revenue is available. Mayor Lee Brand has not submitted a budget, saying there is too much uncertainty because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He asked the council to pass a continuing...
Seniors, Others at Risk Encouraged to Stay Home Under New Plan To Open Fresno Economy
There could be two plans to fully reopen Fresno presented at this week's city council meeting. As he promised a week ago, Councilman Garry Bredefeld is proposing a resolution to immediately repeal all 16 emergency orders made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in Politics 101: Will any councilmember second Bredefeld's...
Changes Coming to City Hall Leadership on Dyer’s Watch
Jerry Dyer still has eight months until he takes office as mayor of Fresno. The coronavirus pandemic has slowed his transition. "The hope is at some point we get this COVID-19 behind us and then I can start putting together my transition team. We have a number of folks I...
Protest Rally to Reopen Fresno Set for Wednesday
A protest rally to reopen businesses in Fresno and the state during the COVID-19 pandemic is scheduled for City Hall on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is being hosted by Ben Bergquam, a conservative activist with Frontline America. He said community leaders reached out to him...
Dyer: Goal Is ‘Hundreds of Businesses’ Back Open by May 7
GV Wire asked Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer and Fresno City Councilmembers for their thoughts on Friday's extension of the shelter-in-place order through May 31. Mayor Lee Brand made the announcement, along with a plan to reopen businesses and require masks for most public activities. Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer "It is my intent...
$32 Million Deficit: Fresno’s Doom and Gloom Budget Projection
The coronavirus pandemic will cause a $32 million deficit for the next city of Fresno budget. "It is enormous. It will be a real challenge for the city to deal with that," assistant city manager Jane Sumpter told the Fresno City Council on Thursday. Also in Politics 101: Fresno City...
Three Fresno Legal Pros Voted on Controversial Zero Dollar Bail
The decision to release hundreds of prisoners from Fresno County jail as a COVID-19 measure came from the state Judicial Council. The group, comprised of state judges, lawmakers, and attorneys, has three Fresno members — appellate court judge Brad Hill, Fresno County Judge Jonathan Conklin and attorney Rachel Hill (no...
City, County Will Get $175 Million in Fed COVID-19 Funds
The city of Fresno and Fresno County will receive a combined $175 million in federal funds to help combat COVID-19 through the CARES Act. The stimulus act set aside $150 billion for cities and counties with populations over 500,000. Also in Politics 101: Fresno City Council approves funding plan with...