FRESNO (KMJ) — Former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry has hit out at current Mayor Lee Brand, alleging that he lied to voters in his campaign against Measure P.
The accusation comes after the failure of Measure P to even achieve the support of half of the voters in Tuesday’s midterm election. The proposal would have increased sales tax in the City of Fresno by 3/8-cent to raise approximately $38 million a year over 30 years. It needed a two-thirds majority to come into force.
Autry said the last-minute change in ballot language (click here) likely did not impact the final vote, but instead blamed false information circulated in the run up to election day.
“They [the voters] weren’t given the truth. And it’s not just a spin, it’s a blatant, flat-out, untruth. From the first words out of their mouths to the end and it I think that’s what really defeated [Measure P].”
Autry said those against Measure P, including Mayor Lee Brand, telling the voters that passing the proposal would hurt public safety was a lie that destroyed its chances at the ballot box.
“When you have those kind of folks coming out playing that fear card, that was totally untrue and unwarranted, that’s tough.”
In a statement, Mayor Lee Brand rejected the suggestion.
“I respectfully disagree with the former mayor’s comments. I stand by my statements regarding Measure P and the majority of Fresno voters agreed with me.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
