Measure E
Measure E is a proposed 0.25% sales tax for Fresno County that will provide approximately $63,000,000 annually for 25 years for Fresno State’s aging buildings and a slate of planned athletics facilities.
What a "yes" vote means
A ‘yes’ vote approves a 0.25% increase in Fresno County sales taxes, estimated to collect $63 million annually.
Supporters of measure:
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell
Fresno County District 3 Supervisor Sal Quintero
State Assemblymember Jim Patterson
Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation CEO Dora Westerlund
Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni
Former Clovis Unified Superintendent Terry Bradley
Northern California Carpenters Regional Council
Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce
Fresno Bee Editorial Board
Funders in favor:
The Yes on E campaign has raised over $2.2 million, with $1.71 million coming from entities associated with local contractor Richard Spencer – California Manufacturing & Engineering Co, and Richard F. Spencer and Associates, according to county campaign finance and state business filings.
Recommendation
Vote “No”
Ensure tax equity and accountability.
Sales taxes are known to be regressive, impacting the poorest the most–no vertical equity.
The tax does not have specific targeted expenditure projects, rather a proportional distribution to various categories; and it leaves up to an appointed board (not elected officials) to decide on the projects that will be funded and who will be awarded the contracts.
The distribution of millions of taxpayer funds will be decided by members of a committee appointed by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
California law limits the total sales tax for any county to not exceed 2% over the state’s threshold – limiting Fresno County to 9.25%. Reedley and Mendota would be exempt from paying into Measure E since the 0.25% tax would push both cities, currently at a 9.225% sales tax rate, over the cap.
What a "no" vote means
A ‘no’ vote opposes adding a 0.25% sales tax increase. Fresno State would still be left with around $462 million left in deferred maintenance and an athletic campaign with a $250 million goal.
Opponents of measure:
Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria
Former Congressman George Radanovich
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias
Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld
Former State Center Community College District Trustee Eric Payne
Former Fresno Unified Trustee and businessman Brooke Ashjian
Fresno County Democratic Party
Fresno County Lincoln Club
Fresno County Libertarian Party
League of Women Voters
Coalinga City Council
Funders in opposition:
Opponents to Measure E have not filed any committees to collect donations.
The law’s passage came with little fanfare in late 2022, earning a single sentence of acknowledgement from the governor’s office and a four-sentence statement from the bill’s author, Sacramento Democrat Kevin McCarty.
In August, shortly after county supervisors approved Brandau’s resolution, Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias slammed the move as a “power grab” by the conservative-leaning Board of Supervisors.
“With this hastily action the Board of Supervisors is asking voters to violate State law and taxpayers to pick up the legal bills it would generate,” Arias told Fresnoland in August. “Those public resources could be better spent on housing and mental health services to thousands of homeless residents.”
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This guide was produced from candidates voluntarily completion of a questionnaire provided by LGBTQ Fresno.