Rep. Vince Fong has hurt our district. He should not be re-elected | Opinion
Don’t re-elect Fong
“The Central Valley needs a strong leader in Congress. Here’s our recommendation | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, May 1)
The Fresno Bee’s endorsement of incumbent Rep. Vince Fong leaks equivocation and ambivalence. While praising Fong for his intellect and experience, it begs him to “advocate for his district, especially when federal policy is hurting the very people he represents.”
The fact of the matter is that Fong has failed his constituents in almost every way. He has defended the administration’s tariffs; endorsed the administration’s immigration and deportation policies; voted for legislation that has severely negative impacts on Central Valley county budgets and healthcare resources; and he has made the absurd assertion that the ill-advised war in Iran, economically injurious to all of us, was “authorized.”
Fong has had his chance in office. I am giving my vote to Sandra Van Scotter because of her deep appreciation of the issues that matter to our district.
Patrick Cassen
Miramonte
Fong has made life more difficult
“The Central Valley needs a strong leader in Congress. Here’s our recommendation | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, May 1)
I am disappointed in the endorsement of Rep. Vince Fong.
Fong’s votes have increased costs for groceries, gas and housing. He voted to strip away healthcare from thousands of his own constituents, and voted against releasing the Epstein files.
I want a congressional representative that will fight for my interests. Fong is not that person.
Ross Elliott
Bodfish
Disappointing vote
“Rep. Jim Costa votes to protect Fresno Valley health now,” (fresnobee.com, Dec. 28, 2025)
Rep. Jim Costa has been a true leader for California’s agricultural producers. That is why his vote for the House Farm Bill is so disappointing.
Last year, Costa led 195 colleagues in urging the House Agriculture Committee to reject Farm Bill language that would wipe away state laws, like his home state’s Proposition 12 that protect farm animals and the voters who enacted them.
Costa understands this issue. I hope he will use his leadership in the next stage of negotiations to help secure a better, bipartisan Farm Bill that protects farmers, respects voters and preserves California’s right to set its own agriculture standards.
Sara Amundson
President, Humane World Action Fund
Fresno Unified must weigh in
“Fresno Unified trustees change policy on taking public stances amid SEDA vote,” (fresnobee.com, April 23)
In response to the recent coverage of the Fresno Unified School District Board’s debate over the Southeast Development Area (SEDA), a fundamental question emerges: What is the role of school board leadership?
Limiting board engagement overlooks a basic reality: Schools do not operate in isolation. Large-scale development decisions like SEDA directly affect student enrollment, school funding, infrastructure demands and the long-term stability of the communities that schools serve.
Not every issue requires board action, but when decisions carry measurable impacts on students and families, silence is not neutrality — it is disengagement.
Eddie G. Varela
President, El Concilio de Fresno
Lower parking fees
“City takes over Fresno parking operations and payments,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 2)
The City of Fresno’s takeover of downtown parking was promised as a step toward better oversight. Instead, under Parking Division Manager Melissa Almaguer, it has devolved into blatant price-gouging.
Charging a $25 flat rate for events like Tequila Fest isn’t a management strategy, it is a predatory barrier that insults working families and downtown advocates trying to revitalize our city’s core.
If the goal is truly to bring 10,000 new residents downtown, the city must stop treating visitors like ATMs. High parking costs are among the reasons people avoid downtown; doubling down on these fees only ensures our local businesses and events struggle to survive.
John Ostlund
Fresno