FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. — The campaign for Measure S, previously known as the Better Roads, Safe Streets Measure, has officially launched in Fresno County.
Voters are set to decide in just weeks whether to approve the measure, which would provide funding for local roads, streets and other transportation projects.
With the November election approaching, supporters gathered at Vinland Park for the campaign kickoff, launching their push to win votes.
Measure S campaign officially launches ahead of November vote in Fresno County. (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist Bert Montelongo)
The launch comes after a long back-and-forth fight over whether the measure would make it onto the November ballot.
Veronica Garibay, co-executive director for the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, celebrated the campaign’s official launch.
“No misuse of the law was going to keep our democratic right to vote on Measure S this November,” she said.
The crowd responded with chants of support.
“That’s right,” Garibay said. “The Better Roads measure is officially Measure S and on your ballot on November 3rd.”
Measure S campaign officially launches ahead of November vote in Fresno County. (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist Bert Montelongo)
Measure S would create a countywide half-cent sales tax to replace the existing Measure C funding when it expires.
The money would go toward road repairs, public transit and other transportation needs across Fresno County.
Mayor Jerry Dyer says the measure would benefit communities across Fresno County, emphasizing the importance of safe and reliable roads for residents.
Measure S campaign officially launches ahead of November vote in Fresno County. (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist Bert Montelongo)
“Whether you live in Southwest Fresno, Northeast Fresno, downtown, Clovis, Reedley, Firebaugh, Mendota, or one of our rural communities, your street matters. Your ability to safely get to work, school, the grocery store, or a doctor’s appointment matters,” Dyer said.
He also said it would provide the City of Fresno with an average of $65 million to $75 million a year for street and sidewalk repairs.
Measure C helped us build and Measure S is about taking care of what we’ve built and making it better,” said Dyer. “In fact, in our opinion, Measure S is a game changer for Fresno County transportation today and for the next 30 years.
Under the proposed plan, 25% of the revenue would go toward public transit, while another 4% would fund new transportation programs
But the measure is facing pushback from some county leaders.
Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld is calling on voters to reject Measure S, arguing the proposal does not put enough money toward fixing the county’s roads.
Measure S campaign officially launches ahead of November vote in Fresno County. (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist Bert Montelongo)
“The message to voters in regards to Measure S. Measure S equals scam. That’s what Measure S stands for,” he said.
Bredefeld says he supports public transportation but questions dedicating 25 percent of the measure’s funding to transit.
“I believe in public transportation as well, but not spending 25%. You need to spend money to fix $3 billion in deferred maintenance of roads throughout the city of Fresno, throughout Fresno County,” he pointed out.
He also argues the measure could leave the county with additional road maintenance needs in the future and says it is designed to encourage people to get out of their cars and use bikes, buses and scooters to get to work.
Bredefeld says opponents are already discussing plans to launch ads against Measure S, but they’ll first need to raise money to compete with the funding behind the campaign.
If Measure S fails, Bredefeld says opponents would go back to the drawing board to develop another plan for fixing local roads and streets.
Voters are left to decide the fate of Measure S in November.