Is Fresno State worth a 1-cent tax on a $4 coffee? Measure E endorsement | Opinion

The March election features city and county races, and campaigns for state and even presidential offices. But there is no more important item for Fresno County voters to consider than Measure E.

That is the measure to increase local sales taxes by a quarter of a cent in order to raise money for much-needed repairs, maintenance and new construction at Fresno State.

“Much needed” means $500 million in deferred maintenance at the California State University campus. Fresno State is the San Joaquin Valley’s crown jewel of a university. Yet it suffers from a multitude of problems in structures that went up decades ago; two-thirds of the academic buildings are 50 years old and older. Today many of them have leaky roofs; antiquated air conditioning, heating and fire alarms; and elevators, electrical and safety systems that need replacement.

Then there are the classroom and lab spaces that cannot accommodate as many students as have the desire to attend Fresno State. That has a direct bearing on the quality of life for county residents. For example, the nursing program has many more prospective students who meet academic standards for acceptance than there is lab space to accommodate. Nurses are among the medical professionals who are badly needed in local hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices.

The logical answer, of course, is for the state Legislature to allocate more funding to the CSU that can then be doled out for campus maintenance. But the Assembly and state Senate, along with the governor, have shown themselves unwilling to prioritize such work at the CSU, the nation’s largest university system.

So if Fresno State is to rebuild and renew its campus buildings, the effort must be made by local citizens who make it their priority.

The per-person cost won’t be too high. A quarter-cent hike in the sales tax equals 1 cent on a $4 purchase (think a drink from Starbucks). But it is enough to generate $63 million a year and $1.5 billion over 25 years, the proposed length of the tax hike.

Measure E breakdown

How would the money be spent? The Yes on E campaign has a project list compiled by Fresno State. Among the highlights:

▪ In the critical facilities category, renewal and replacement of plumbing and electrical systems, fire alarms, air conditioning systems, elevators and other deferred maintenance: $313 million

▪ In campus infrastructure improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, health and safety improvements, upgraded telecommunications, and other projects: $47 million

▪ Among academic projects is a new 1,200-seat concert hall, at $45 million. A new nursing building is $60 million, as is expansion of the Lyles College of Engineering. Modernizing the farm lab would be $48.7 million. Academic projects in total come in at $433 million.

▪ New dorms would be built, as well as a badly needed parking structure and improvements to existing parking lots. Altogether, this category is $160 million.

▪ Another $240 million would go to athletic projects. Of that, $160 million would modernize Valley Children’s Stadium, which badly needs improved restroom access, among many things.

▪ A $50 million endowment would be created to provide scholarships to local students and veterans. Another $50 million would be earmarked for future maintenance.

In a change from the measure put before voters two years ago, this version of the tax would devote 15% of the revenue to athletics, not one-third. The new measure also extends the life of the tax to 25 years, not 20 as initially conceived.

To guarantee proper use of the funds generated by the tax, a citizens oversight committee will be formed. It will have public meetings at least quarterly, and will publish annual financial reports to detail how the money gets spent.

All of the funds raised stay local and cannot be touched by the CSU for other purposes or campuses.

Proponents say Measure E over its lifespan will create nearly 27,000 jobs and have a $5.7 billion economic impact locally.

Election support

The voters in the Clovis Unified School District have repeatedly passed bond measures to repair and build campus facilities. As a result, the district’s campuses and sports facilities are widely recognized for their top-notch condition.

Is Fresno State similarly worth it? That really is what this comes down to.

Eight of every 10 Fresno State graduates remain in the Valley and contribute to the vitality of the region through career choices and volunteer work. Those graduates are our teachers, nurses, engineers, firefighters, police officers, social workers, farmers and ranchers, entrepreneurs and accountants of tomorrow.

To The Bee Editorial Board, it is an easy answer: Approve Measure E.

How important is Fresno State to the San Joaquin Valley? Fifty-seven percent of current students attended a high school or community college in Fresno County.

The return that the Valley will enjoy from a vibrant Fresno State, with safe, modern and expanded facilities benefiting students and staff, will easily exceed the cost of one penny on a Starbucks drink.

This story was originally published February 5, 2024 at 5:30 AM.