I met today with the Legislative Director for the California League of Cities to learn more about the impacts of the Governor's proposed budget on local communities. Fortunately, the passage of Proposition 1A in 2004 protects some revenues that cities like Fresno rely on from the state. But since county governments have no such protection, they will bear the brunt of the budget impacts and cities will have to deal with a lot of the fallout.

In addition, we all know the mortgage crisis is also wreaking havoc on local government budgets. The next Mayor of Fresno will inherit a budget with declining revenues for the first time in a number of years. 
 
Despite the "doom and gloom" of our current fiscal climate, I remain optimistic that the City of Fresno can, in fact, still make significant advances in the coming years on economic development, public safety, air quality, transportation, and water infrastructure.
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Even though revenues will decline next year, the City of Fresno’s General Fund has actually increased by 45% since 2002. So, the city’s budget will still be significantly larger than it was just a few years ago. That’s why I think we can continue to make progress on many fronts by making City Hall more efficient, expanding volunteer programs within the police and fire departments, and accelerating the move to e-government services.  The worst thing we can do is adopt a "hunker down" mentality and blame lack of progress on budget woes.  That's simply not an option as far as I'm concerned.

I met today with Artie Padilla and Tim Goetz from a new non-profit organization that is being formed in Fresno. It’s called Every Neighborhood Partnership and they have some exciting things going on.

Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) provides churches with some very practical ways to help low performing schools and distressed neighborhoods.  ENP started with people from The Well Community Church volunteering to run sports and tutoring programs at Susan B. Anthony school on Saturdays.  It has blossomed since then and they are now doing street clean ups, home repairs, movie nights, and other activities to support students and families at the school.  Their goal is to improve test scores at the school but they are actually having a far greater impact. 

Their efforts are yet another example of Fresno’s ’tipping point” environment.  ENP is joining with a number of non-profits, business groups, public agencies, and others who are beginning to focus on improving neighborhoods affected by concentrated poverty.  It’s the right thing to do and we have to be successful. Fresno cannot be a top-tier city in California if we neglect neighborhoods and allow them to fall into distress and disrepair. 

It's going to take each sector of our community doing its part to reverse conditions that have festered for decades.  As the next Mayor of Fresno, I am committed to tackling chronic poverty and rehabilitating neglected neighborhoods.

Tonight, local business owners Bill and Linda Smittcamp hosted a gathering of friends and colleagues for me.  It was a great group of folks - small business owners, retirees, arts community activists, and education leaders.  They brought up concerns about downtown revitalization, improving the economy, the city's role in education and job training, and improving neighborhoods and reducing crime.  I've done a number of neighborhood meetings around Fresno since August.  These are the common issues that continue to come up, but there's also an undercurrent of frustration that people continually express.  They don't understand why there's been so much talk about these issues, but things don't seem to change.  I share their frustration.  That's why I'm in the Mayor's race.  I've done just about all I can do from the outside of city hall to make a positive impact on issues that are most important to me - lowering unemployment and poverty rates, improving neighborhoods, and being the "lead advocate" for the region in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.  As the next Mayor of Fresno, I'm committed to seeing these things through.

Today, people from throughout the community gathered to honor Dr. Martin Luther King at the annual MLK Day March.  I thought the day highlighted the beauty of the city in so many ways.  To begin with, it was a clear, cool day.  The Sierra Nevada mountains were stunning.  We gathered at a beautiful spot - St. John’s Cathedral.  People from all walks of life - all ethnicities, all social and economic backgrounds - gathered for a common purpose.  I met Lance, a student at Sunnyside High, who is participating in a leadership program that involves over 200 students at his school.  One of the goals of that program is to help raise the grades of African American students. And they are succeeding – a 20% increase so far.  I also chatted with a woman who was walking in the march because she believed she has a better life because of Dr. King.  It was her way of giving thanks.  She brought with her about a dozen young students from the school where she works. Finally, I talked with several young women from Fresno State who are pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, and business - all very exceptional young women. In addition to their studies, they are volunteers for one of the current presidential candidates.  In short, it was a very inspirational and motivating day in Fresno. 

Happy New Year, everyone!  2008 is an important year.  Our nation will elect a new president.  Californians will consider a number of ballot initiatives and bond proposals.  Fresnans will elect a new mayor to succeed Mayor Autry.  As I have said so many times before, Fresno is at the "tipping point."  The next election will determine whether we tip forward and become a top-tier city in California, or whether we tip backward and revert to politics-as-usual.  I don't want to see our city lose this opportunity.  That's why I'm in the Mayor's race.
 

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Today, I celebrated the New Year by attending the Hmong International New Year on its closing day.  This event attracts over 100,000 people each year from all over the world.  It is a source of great pride for our community.  You can learn more about the event at www.HmongNewYear.us.  It was an honor to attend and address the crowd (click here to read my comments).
 
Best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous 2008!