With almost no discussion, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday morning to put a sales tax measure to benefit Fresno State on the November ballot. Supervisor Steve Brandau, noting that he represents an "anti-tax" base, said he supported putting the measure on the ballot but emphasized...
Measure P Architect Talks About Where New Version Is Headed
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...
Brand New Sales Tax Idea for Funding Fresno's Big Needs
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand rolled out his early idea for a new sales tax in an interview Tuesday with GV Wire. Though he didn't name it such, you might call it "Triple-P" — a 0.75% hike on the November 2020 ballot raising about $69 million annually for public safety, parks,...
Just Like Texas, California Is Rated 'Tax Friendly'
Kiplinger, a personal finance publication, has assembled a detailed summary of state taxes on income, property, and everything you buy. While not landing among the Top 10 most-tax friendly states, California received Kiplinger's "tax-friendly" designation — the same as its big economic rival, Texas. "The Golden State’s reputation as a...
Fresno Judge Rules Measure P Parks Sales Tax Hike Failed
A Fresno County Superior Court judge has sided with a taxpayers advocate group's contention that a Fresno parks sales tax measure failed. Judge Kimberly Gaab issued the ruling Thursday, agreeing with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and against Fresno Building Healthy Communities. Fresno voters backed Measure P in November 2018...
Did Fresno Parks Tax Pass? Court Delays Its Ruling.
Update, 7/08/19, 3:15 p.m.: A Fresno County Superior Court judge delayed a tentative ruling expected today on Measure P. Judge Kimberly Gaab pushed back a decision on whether the Fresno sales tax for parks was approved by voters with 53% of the vote. The city contends it needed two-thirds to pass....
Is Mayor Brand Free to Lead, a Lame Duck, or Both?
Last year produced the election that knocked City Hall off of its right-leaning political axis, propelled it sharply left, and made "patience" a word for a bygone era. Deliberative, consensus-building Mayor Lee Brand saw the handwriting on the wall and decided not to seek a second term. His thinking? By taking...
Proposed Sales Tax on Business Services Has Horrible Timing
California’s elected leaders are enjoying the fruits of a go-go economy, with record surpluses and record spending on education. So, naturally, there’s talk of tax increases. Californians have enjoyed nearly 10 years of economic growth, and one of the biggest beneficiaries has been the state budget. Since the depths of...
If California Stopped Giving Away Billions, It Wouldn’t Need New Taxes
You'd think that California, which boasts the world's fifth-largest economy, would have ample tax revenue for schools, roads, and a public safety net. But, in some people's eyes, the taxes and fees generated by our $2.75 trillion economy aren't sufficient to cover the Golden State's needs. Thus, on the 2020...
Newsom Signs Internet Sales Tax into Law
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law requiring companies like Amazon and eBay to collect sales taxes on behalf of some out-of-state sellers. The law comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year states can collect sales taxes from companies even if the company is based outside...