Mayor Lee Brand described his proposed 2020 Fresno budget as “status quo.” Not much is different in FY 2020’s $1.187 billion spending plan, a 3.5% increase from FY 2019. “It maintains all the existing services, with only three positions added in the general fund portion. We simply don’t have the...
Can City Ordinance “STOP” Panhandling?
UPDATE, 3/20/2019: Councilmembers Miguel Arias, Esmeralda Soria and Nelson Esparza formally announced their opposition to the ordinance written about below. They are holding news conference Wednesday (March 20) afternoon. With councilmen Steve Brandau, Paul Caprioglio and Luis Chavez sponsoring the measure, that leaves the seventh council member, Garry Bredefeld as...
With Employees on Strike, Courts Open But not at Full Strength
Fresno Superior Court still operated Tuesday (Jan. 15), but it was anything but normal. Outside, a constant drizzle did not deter hundreds of striking court workers — judicial assistants, clerks, and court reporters. “Rain or shine, we stay on the line,” was one of the many mantras SEIU 521 members...
Parks Sales Tax Backers Say Plan Will Pay for 42 Cops
Advocates for a sales tax on the November ballot benefiting Fresno parks said Friday that the plan would allow for the funding of police officers. “If we allocate $5 million for the safety and security of our parks, that could hire 42 additional uniformed Fresno police officers working for Jerry...
Fresno Parks Boosters Off to Fast Start With Campaign Donations
Supporters of a Fresno sales tax increase to benefit parks have raised three-quarters of a million dollars, according to the latest financial filings. The Yes on P committee raised $545,000 during the latest filing period, covering July 1-Sept. 22. Central Valley Community Foundation, the Ashley Swearengin-led group spearheading the campaign,...
Money Starts Flowing to Pass, Defeat Fresno Parks Measure
Financial backers are coming forward to support and oppose Measure P with the early filings showing parks supporters writing big checks. The municipal ballot initiative calls for a 3/8 of a cent sales tax for parks and related programs in the city of Fresno that would generate about $38 million annually...
Don't Blame Council Conservatives For Brand's Failed Tax Scheme
With all due respect to my colleague and news director Bill McEwen, he got it wrong in his June 29 column blasting three Fresno councilmen for putting their tax stance over public safety. The blame should be put squarely at the man who sets the budget, and hoped he could...
Fresno's Caglia Project Debate in 90 Seconds
The Fresno City Council unanimously approved a 2 million-square-foot industrial project in south Fresno. The facility, proposed by Caglia Environmental, drew opposition from neighborhood and environmental groups. But, the need for potential jobs outweighed concerns over air pollution and heavy traffic in the area on Central Avenue between Orange and...
Fresno's Caglia Project Debate in 90 Seconds
The Fresno City Council unanimously approved a 2 million-square-foot industrial project in south Fresno. The facility, proposed by Caglia Environmental, drew opposition from neighborhood and environmental groups. But, the need for potential jobs outweighed concerns over air pollution and heavy traffic in the area on Central Avenue between Orange and...