FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1923 into law, ending weeks of uncertainty over whether a Fresno County transportation measure would appear on this November’s ballot.
The new law clears the way for the Fresno County Transportation Improvement Act, also known as the Measure C renewal, to go before voters this November.
The legislation comes after the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted to order a study of the citizen-backed initiative, a move that delayed the measure from appearing on the November ballot until 2028 under the existing timeline.
The decision sparked a political battle over the balance of power between local governments and the state.
At a news conference held before the Governor signed the bill on Thursday, Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld said the county was prepared to challenge the law if it was enacted.
Governor Newsom signs AB 1923 into law, transportation tax measure heads to ballot. (Photo: FOX26)
“If the California state legislature approves AB 1923 and Governor Newsom signs it, which I anticipate will happen, I will call upon my colleagues to vote to initiate immediate litigation,” Bredefeld said.
County leaders argue the new law allows the state to override local decisions and could weaken local control by setting a precedent for future disputes involving county governments.
Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, who co-authored the bill, said Newsom’s decision ensures Fresno County voters will have the opportunity to decide the future of the transportation measure.
Governor Newsom signs AB 1923 into law, transportation tax measure heads to ballot. (Photo: California State Assembly)
“I’m personally grateful that the governor saw the goal of the bill, which was to allow the voters of Fresno County to have an opportunity to voice their opinion on the extension of Measure C,” Soria said.
Soria also said she was not surprised by Fresno County’s threat of legal action, arguing opponents had attempted to delay the initiative throughout the process.
“I think every step of the way, their attempt has been to undermine the process and delay for the sake of manipulating the outcome of the measure and that is what we’re not going to stand for,” said Soria. “We are for democracy. Let the people vote. They can vote up or down.”
Supporters of AB 1923, including Senator Anna Caballero, have argued the legislation protects the integrity of California’s initiative process and ensures voters, not procedural delays, have the final say.
Opponents, including Senator Shannon Grove and several Fresno County leaders, say the law represents state overreach and could undermine the authority of locally elected officials.
County leaders have indicated they plan to discuss potential legal action challenging the law at an upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting.