FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Two sides are now locked in a race to reach 500,000 voters before November 3rd.
On Tuesday, a handful of leaders from across Fresno County launched a campaign urging voters to reject Measure S — the county-wide transportation tax also known as the ‘Better Roads Safe Streets’ initiative.
Two weeks ago, dozens gathered to launch the campaign for the half-cent sales tax which would remain in place for 30 years if approved.
Supporters say it would help fund road repairs and transportation improvements across Fresno County.
They also say if the measure fails, it could have negative consequences county-wide.
“It would be pretty catastrophic for our county. We would see a pretty rapid deterioration of roads, a completely reduced public transit infrastructure,” said Andy Levine, the campaign manager for ‘Yes on Measure S.’
But opponents argue there is still time to come up with a better plan.
“What they’re selling you, in my opinion, is gloom and doom. What they’re saying is, ‘If we don’t pass this, this may not be good. It may be okay. But the alternative is horrific.’ Well, the reality is that Measure C money doesn’t run out until 2029,” said Brooke Ashjian, a former board member for the Fresno Unified School District.
Measure C is the current half-cent sales tax that has provided funds to local transportation infrastructure, road repairs, and public transit for more than 40 years.
It was first approved by voters in 1986 and renewed again during the 2006 midterm election cycle.
Critics point to Fresno County’s potholes and other road hazards as proof that it has been largely ineffective.
Supporters of Measure S say that’s because it was focused on building highways; this time the focus is on maintaining local streets.
“Committing the vast majority — 65% of the funds, almost 5-billion dollars over 30 years — to fixing the potholes, the sidewalks, the roads, the infrastructure… right in front of my home, my school, my park, my place of worship,” said Levine.
Measure S would also dedicate 25% of its funding to public transit.
“It prohibits adding lanes for cars. You can only add lanes for bikes or buses. The only way Measure S reduces traffic and congestion is if we get out of our cars and start taking bikes or buses around,” said Diane Pearce, Clovis Mayor Pro Tem and current candidate for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
Opponents of Measure S say local leaders should come together to develop a different plan and bring it to voters in the future.
But that has been tried before.
“We can do better. I’m not going to sit around and think that, maybe just because we had a couple of failed efforts, that we can’t come back to the table and negotiate,” said Reedley Mayor Matthew Tuttle.
If Measure S passes in November, it will take effect after Measure C expires next June.
Voters in the city of Fresno will see another ballot item regarding roads; Measure D.
That will only take effect if it passes, and Measure S does not.
The first mail-in ballots for Fresno County have already been sent out.
Voters will receive two ballot cards because of a large number of measures appearing on the ballot.
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