AB 1923 could let Fresno County vote on Measure C replacement, bypassing supervisors

A fight over the future of Fresno County’s transportation tax measure is moving from the county level to Sacramento.

Two Valley lawmakers are pushing legislation that would allow voters to decide the future of Measure C’s proposed replacement this November, rather than waiting for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to make a decision.

The disagreement started in Fresno County but has now grown into a larger debate over state power, local control, and who should have the final say.

Supporters of AB 1923 say the bill protects voters’ right to decide at the ballot box.

Opponents argue it bypasses a decision already made by local officials and gives Sacramento too much authority over a county issue.

Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria says she and State Senator Anna Caballero introduced AB 1923 after hearing concerns from local leaders that voters wanted the measure placed on the November ballot.

“I think it is imperative that the state steps in and helps ensure that the voices of our community do get heard. It was essentially the Board of Supervisors that really subverted the will of the voters,” she said.

Soria says several Fresno County mayors reached out after the Board of Supervisors voted to study the measure before deciding whether it should go before voters.

“Several of our mayors from Fresno County approached us about essentially the delay tactic that the Fresno County Board of Supervisors utilized to delay the placement of the initiative that had essentially qualified,” Soria said.

The debate follows a July vote by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to order a study of the measure before moving forward with a ballot decision.

Supervisor Nathan Magsig says the study was necessary to make sure voters have complete information before deciding whether to support or oppose the proposal.

“I found that it was prudent to call for a study to be done. So as voters, this is going to come before voters and it’s going to impact voters and their taxes. I want to make sure they’re fully informed as they choose to either support or oppose this particular measure,” he said.

Soria disagrees, arguing the study could have been started earlier and says the delay prevented voters from deciding this November.

She told FOX26, “Grateful that they’re having this study, but guess what? The public needs to know that the Board of Supervisors had the power to start the study 8 months ago. They failed to do that. So, what that tells me is that they are using it as a delay tactic.”

Magsig says the issue goes beyond this specific transportation measure.

He argues AB 1923 would allow state lawmakers to override a process local officials followed under state election law.

“This really derails local control. I’m one who believes that at the state level the state needs to be involved in things that benefit the entire state. When you look at this piece of legislation it specifically targets this measure, specifically targets Fresno County. And so, to me I don’t think good government operates like that,” Magsig said.

Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce also supports the Board of Supervisors’ decision, saying local leaders should be able to handle county issues without state intervention.

“Frankly, they’re just throwing a tantrum. They don’t like the outcome and how the process didn’t work in their favor this time. And again, I just don’t think it’s appropriate to go running to Sacramento, running to state legislators to Gavin Newsom to say, ‘Hey, bail us out,” she said.

Soria says the bill does not decide the outcome, it only puts the decision back in the hands of voters.

“The study will still get done and people will be able to utilize the study to figure out if they want to support or oppose the initiative. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that the voters have the end say and that’s what this bill is about,” she said.

Magsig says the Board of Supervisors will review the completed study at Tuesday’s meeting.

Soria says AB 1923 will be heard on Wednesday in the assembly, with the goal of getting the bill to the governor before the deadline to place the measure on the November ballot.

She says Fresno County leaders’ decision not to call a special meeting before that deadline is what pushed her to move quickly with the legislation.