FRESNO (KMJ) — A proposal to oppose a state -wide bill at a local level is thrown out before it is even heard.
Fresno City Councilmember Steve Brandau, wanted his fellow representatives to collectively take a stand against California’s “sanctuary state” bill SB54. The local resolution cited fears of a loss of federal funding if it went ahead.
“This takes it to a new level, this starts a war with the President”, said Brandau during an interview on Monday. “This begs the President to cut off funding for the state of California and the City of Fresno.”
But fellow representatives at Fresno City Hall voted to remove the item from the agenda soon after the Thursday morning meeting began.
The District 2 representative hoped that Fresno’s declaration would publicly show President Trump that the city does not follow the same ideology as the state.
“Then at least President Trump, in my mind, could say ‘you know what, I’ve got some good people in Fresno – then at least they opposed it.'”
District 3’s Oliver Baines remained against the local resolution.
“I think this is a divisive resolution that Councilmember Brandau is bringing.
“I think that frankly the rhetoric that’s taking place in the country around this topic is divisive, and he’s attempting the fan the flame of division and I won’t have any part of it.”
In response to the decision to remove the item from the agenda, Steve Brandau told KMJ News “we will live to regret this missed opportunity.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
