Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer declined to veto a city council ordinance that will regulate smoke and vaping shops.

When Dyer did not turn in a veto slip by the end of Monday, the regulations finalized on April 24 officially passed. The most controversial part of the ordinance requires smoke shops to obtain a conditional use permit and limits those permits to 49 total in the city, seven per each of the seven city council districts.

That means dozens of smoke shops that are otherwise in compliance would have to shut down. The ordinance allows 18 months for stores to close.

Dyer told Politics 101 he did so “after careful consideration.”

“While I acknowledge that there are aspects of the ordinance that raise concerns, I believe that, given the significant increase in criminal activity associated with some smoke shops in Fresno, it is in the best interest of the City and our community to allow this ordinance to take effect,” Dyer said.

Dyer agreed with the council’s goal to reduce crime.

“The number of smoke shops in Fresno have outpaced the City’s ability to regulate them effectively. Some have become an attractive nuisance in our neighborhoods and have contributed to an increase in the illegal sales of drugs and crime at these locations, with particular concern for their proximity to schools and the impact on our youth,” Dyer said.

A trade group for local shop owners, California Smoke Shop Association, said it will sue in federal court. Attorney Todd Wynkoop said the law restricts his clients’ freedoms, and would constitute an illegal “taking” of their property.

Related Story: Smoke Shop Owners Vow Lawsuit After Fresno Passes Regulations

“Although I am not vetoing this ordinance, I encourage City Council members to continue working collaboratively to identify ways to minimize the financial burden placed on smoke shop owners who comply with the law, while ensuring regulatory oversight is effective,” Dyer said.

If Dyer had vetoed, it was unlikely the council had the five votes to overturn the mayor. The ordinance received four votes on April 24.

Wynkoop was not immediately available for comment.

State GOP Attacks Soria

Fresno Assemblymember and 2026 state Senate candidate Esmeralda Soria is one of several Democrats the state GOP is targeting. Republicans are citing Soria’s vote last week to amend a bill weakening crimes against buyers of 16- and 17-year-olds for sex.

Soria voted to strip away making such a crime a felony, and remove the bill’s principal author, Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento. Soria was a coauthor.

The California GOP posted a 42-second video of teen girls calling for Soria to protect teen girls, along with Soria’s Sacramento office number.

“I was proud to co-author the original version of AB 379 because I strongly agree with the need to strengthen our laws which protect victims of human trafficking and I believe in holding offenders accountable,” Soria said in a statement to Politics 101.

“My position hasn’t changed, and I will continue to support legislative efforts to protect our children and increase penalties for soliciting 16 and 17-year-olds for sex or prostitution. I want to be clear: I will not support a final version of this bill unless the provision for soliciting a 16/17 year-old for sex or prostitution is a felony,” Soria said.

Soria’s Fresno Democratic colleague, Joaquin Arambula, voted to make the crime a felony. Even Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized his own party for not protecting girls.

After all that, KCRA-TV reporter Ashley Zavala reported that Democrats have changed their minds after tremendous backlash.

NEW: California’s Assembly Democratic leaders reverse course and add automatic felony back into proposal for those who buy 16 and 17-year-olds for sex.

They also added Asm. @maggykrell back as a coauthor. https://t.co/XSS3bExOSm

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) May 6, 2025

Related Story: Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

Conway Returns to Trump Administration

Former Congressmember Connie Conway is returning to the Trump Administration with a position in the Department of Agriculture.

Conway will serve as California Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. She held the same role in the first Trump Administration.

The appointment adds to Conway’s long list of public service, which includes chairperson of the World Ag Expo, former state Assemblymember, and leader in the Tulare County Republican Party.

Tavlian Registers New Committee

Fresno political consultant Alex Tavlian registered a new committee to “support and oppose candidates and measures within the County of Fresno.”

The committee is named “Main Street Central Valley.” Registering with Fresno County will allow the committee to raise funds.

Tavlian got into hot water earlier this year for his involvement in the Fresno City Council special election in March. A group called Fresno Future Forward sent mailers critical of eventual winner Brandon Vang.

The committee did not properly register with the city, resulting in a $1,000 fine. After a GV Wire investigation, it turned out Tavlian was behind that group, confirmed by an amended filing with the city.

Bonakdar Files to Run … in 2028

Fresno attorney Roger Bonakdar is playing the long game to run for office. The one-time Fresno City Council candidate filed paperwork to run for trustee in the State Center Community College District.

He tells Politics 101 he is keeping his options open.

The seat is currently occupied by Deborah Ikeda.