Newsletter from Fresno County Democratic Party Feb. 17, 2021

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Newsletter: February 17, 2021
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** In This Newsletter:
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Noha Elbaz Endorsed by the Fresno Bee (#Noha)

Silent Auction (#Auction)

What next for the Republican Party? (#Republicans)

Fresno Free Bus Travel Proposal (#FAX)

Woman of the Year Nominations (#Woman-of-the-year)

Fresno COVID Vaccine and Epidemic Response (#Vaccine)

Democratic Party HQ (#HQ)
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Clovis City Council candidate Noha Elbaz has received the Fresno Bee Editorial Board’s endorsement ([link removed]) for the upcoming March 2 election. The Bee cites Elbaz’s experience as an educator, a college president and her recent candidacy for the Clovis Unified School District.

For Clovis residents, vote-by-mail ballots should have already arrived. Some vote centers will open on Feb. 20, with the rest open Feb. 27 through March 2. To find volunteer opportunities in support of Noha Elbaz or more information on her campaign, visit: [link removed]. ([link removed])

The League of Women Voters of Fresno is sponsoring a chance to get to know the candidates running for Clovis City Council today, February 17, 5:30 p.m. via Zoom [link removed] and on Facebook Live [link removed]

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Thanks to all who participated in our online Silent Auction, which ended Sunday. We appreciate your support of this successful fundraising initiative. If you missed this opportunity, your contributions are still welcome: Support your local Democratic Party by making a donation viaActBlue ([link removed]) .

The trial of Donald Trump has shown how far the Republicans have truly traveled from being a legitimate political party in a democratic republic. The consistent rebuttal of trust in academic experts and journalists has left them in an alternate reality.

Rural conservatives are vastly overrepresented in our system in the House, the Senate and the Electoral College. Yet, they consistently believe the opposite, with 80% of Republicans saying society is oppressive to conservatives.

Donald Trump is the most recent peak of the iceberg turning this delusional resentment into violent anger. But he has been effective.

In a recent national poll, 40% of Republicans say they support violence as a tool to defend their American society against internal threats. That poll was taken just after the failed Capital Putsch, showing that a horrifying number of Republicans were not shocked by the thwarted overthrow, but rather were emboldened.

The Senate GOP’s refusal to convict Donald Trump has shown a clear signal that there will be no political cost to Republicans advocating such violence. In fact, the internal backlash against the seven Republicans who voted to convict in accordance with the law has shown the Republican Party will in fact punish those who vote their conscience.
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Fresno City Council Member Tyler Maxwell and co-sponsors Esmeralda Soria and Nelson Esparza have put forth a new plan to aid Fresno residents by making all FAX bus rides free. This would increase the mobility of the many Fresnans who cannot afford a car or cannot drive.

There are potential benefits for the wider population at a time when public health depends on everyone being able to get to testing offices, doctor’s appointments and vaccine centers. Twenty-five of Fresnans live below the poverty line and those are precisely who this proposal would most aid.

Fresno’s efforts to improve and expand the bus service over the past five years have been rather successful. Increased mass transit can help improve Fresno’s terrible air quality, but currently only 1.8% of people here take public transportation for their commute, though that number is rising as a result of increases in routes and bus frequency.

Of course, for any program for the public good, how to fund it is always an issue. Over the past few years, fares have provided 10%–14% of the bus agency’s annual budget. Covid relief funding can make up the current shortfall, as Maxwell proposes, but those funds will eventually end as the pandemic is wrangled under control.

Clovis and Visalia implemented similar zero-fare policies last year, though their public transit systems are much smaller than Fresno’s.

In other cities across the country where this policy has been implemented, success was found by leveraging community monetary support from the different industries who benefit from a greater ability for people to get to shops and services, and in some cases property tax increases. Some other large cities have eliminated fares for select categories such as fares and some low-income categories. However, this level of discernment would not allow the ticket infrastructure savings Maxwell is counting on.

Support the Zero Fare Clean Air Act on Thursday, February 18, at 1 p.m. at the Fresno City Council. Comment on item ID 21-284 by email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Zero%20Fare%20Clean%20Air%20Act) . Or you can join via Zoom to comment at 1 p.m.: [link removed]

In celebration of Women's History Month in March, Fresno City Council Member Esmeralda Soria will host her 7th Annual Women of the Year Awards, honoring women throughout City Council District 1 who exemplify courage, strength and vision, and are passionate about empowering our community.

Award categories:
* Business
* Community Engagement/Advocacy
* Education
* Health and Wellness
* Youth (Ages 14–22)
* Arts & Culture
* Public Safety/Military

Nominees must live, volunteer or work in Fresno City Council District 1. District 1 is located in west-central Fresno and includes neighborhoods around the Tower District, Fresno City College, Fresno High School, Quigley Park, Lions Park and Central High School, and neighborhoods west of Highway 99 (south of Shaw Avenue).

Submissions are due March 2. E-mail a nomination ([link removed]) to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or mail to Council Member Esmeralda Soria, 2600 Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93721.

Application Link ([link removed])

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Fresno County is currently administering vaccines to healthcare workers and individuals age 75 and older. The Fresno Fairgrounds is being used as a government-administered site for inoculations, along with the private health facilities of the Sierra Pacific Orthopedics Center and United Health Centers.

Appointments can be made in advance, and the links to do so can be found on the Fresno County Vaccine website. All availability is limited by the vaccine supply. If you or a family member has received the first dose of the vaccine, remember that a second dose must be received for full effect.

For the health and prosperity of all those around you, wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing and reduce your incidents of contact with people who do not dwell in your home.

County Vaccine Website

www.co.fresno.ca.us/departments/public-health/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines

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Democratic Party HQ

The Democratic Party HQ (1033 U St. ([link removed]) ) is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday–Friday. Call 559-495-0606 (tel:559-495-0606) or e-mail [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20Newsletter-02-17-21) for information or to volunteer.

Support your local Democratic Party by making a donation viaActBlue ([link removed]) or by mailing a check to Fresno County Democratic Party, P.O. Box 5795, Fresno, CA 93755.

Our newsletter is prepared by Francis Horan.
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