Fresno Mayor Lee Brand withdrew his plan Thursday morning to place in front of voters a sales tax measure equally benefiting public safety and parks. The plan, announced Monday, called for raising the sales tax by a half-percent. Brand needed a super-majority, or five of the seven council members, to...
Does Brand Have Votes To Put His Police-Parks Sales Tax on Ballot?
(Note: this story has been updated to reflect Councilmen Garry Bredefeld's decision about not supporting placing the Brand sales tax plan on the ballot.) November’s ballot in Fresno could bring a battle of competing sales tax hikes. Mayor Lee Brand announced his plan Monday for a half-cent sales tax, with...
Fresno’s Top Cop Makes Rare Endorsement in a City Council Race
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer admitted the rarity of his support in a city council race. But for Brian Whelan in District 7, Dyer was happy to lend his name. Clad in a gray suit because laws disallow police personnel from campaigning in uniform, Dyer endorsed Whelan in a news...
Fresno Mayor Brand Endorses Public Safety Tax Ahead of Parks Tax
UPDATE: 5:32 p.m., Thursday, April 5 Fresno Mayor Lee Brand put his shoulder squarely behind a proposed sales-tax increase for public safety today in a statement emailed to GV Wire. "While the City of Fresno has many challenges, including parks and green space, my job as your Mayor is to...
Avoid the Collision Course. Try a Combined Parks & Public Safety Tax.
Thus far, Mayor Lee Brand and his two-term predecessor, Ashley Swearengin, have been on the same page. From cracking down on slumlords to downtown revitalization to attracting new business, Brand has carried on the Swearengin agenda. But now they're on a collision course. Swearengin very much wants to see Fresno...
Will Fresno Voters Support Public Safety Tax? Police Union Wants to Know.
Are Fresnans willing to pay more in taxes in the name of public safety? The Fresno Police Officers Association is researching that question. The police officers union says it is partnering with Fresno City Firefighters IAFF Local 753 and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce on a quality-of-life poll. One of...
Will Fresno Voters Support Public Safety Tax? Police Union Wants to Know.
Are Fresnans willing to pay more in taxes in the name of public safety? The Fresno Police Officers Association is researching that question. The police officers union says it is partnering with Fresno City Firefighters IAFF Local 753 and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce on a quality-of-life poll. One of...
Miguel Arias OK With Tax Vote for More Fresno PD
Miguel Arias thinks he understands the issues facing Fresno better than anyone running for Fresno City Council, District 3. That is why he is running for the seat that covers much of south and west Fresno, including downtown. Currently in the final term as an elected trustee of the State...
Miguel Arias OK With Tax Vote for More Fresno PD
Miguel Arias thinks he understands the issues facing Fresno better than anyone running for Fresno City Council, District 3. That is why he is running for the seat that covers much of south and west Fresno, including downtown. Currently in the final term as an elected trustee of the State...