Pastor DJ Criner of St. Rest Baptist Church told the audience of supporters and media that he supports Measure S because he wants a community \u201cwhere your ZIP code does not determine the quality of your doggone street.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastor DJ Criner speaks at the Yes on Measure S campaign rally at Vinland Park in Fresno on Sept. 9, 2026. David Taub The Fresno Bee Dyer pushes back on criticism<\/p>\n
Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, one of Measure S\u2019s toughest critics, said in a previous comment that the tax would get \u201cpeople out of their cars and riding buses, bicycles and scooters to work-instead of fixing the deteriorating roads our residents have demanded be repaired for decades.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said that is not so.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those people who choose to ride a bike, we want to provide a safe way for them to do so, providing protected and continuous bike lanes,\u201d Dyer said, saying too many people are killed on bicycles.<\/p>\n
Dyer said Measure S would allow for more frequent stops on high-demand routes. Without the tax, weeknight and weekend service would be cut.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe owe it to them (riders) to provide a convenient, reliable, timely, and affordable service, no matter where their destination takes them,\u201d Dyer said.<\/p>\n
The Measure S spending plan calls for 25% spent for public transit and 4% for \u201cinnovation.\u201d Dyer said that would allow for zero fare for all students and veterans. Currently, students in certain school and college districts do not pay a fare \u2014 covered by the district.<\/p>\n
Dyer added that the city \u201ccan\u2019t afford to go backwards,\u201d if Measure S fails.<\/p>\n
Campaign says funds are local<\/p>\n
Veronica Garibay, one of the principals of the campaign, said most of the $1.35 million raised (through June 30) is local.<\/p>\n
A prominent social activist gave the Yes on Measure S campaign $20,000, campaign documents show.<\/p>\n
The contribution came from Kat Taylor of Redwood City, the principal of the Office of Kat Taylor and self-described \u201cpartner\u201d of Tom Steyer \u2014 the billionaire who ran for governor in June but failed to advance beyond the primary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe support anybody who wants to support Measure S to support better transportation in our community,\u201d Garibay said.<\/p>\n
The campaign also reported another $12,000 from its chief financial backer, the Central Valley Community Foundation. Through June 30, CVCF contributed $810,000. The next report is due Sept. 24.<\/p>\n
Social justice advocate Kat Taylor contributed $20,000 to the Yes on Measure S campaign. Office of Kat Taylor Opposition forming<\/p>\n
No group has formally established a No on Measure S campaign.<\/p>\n
Brooke Ashjian, a former Fresno Unified trustee and local businessman, told The Bee that is about to change.<\/p>\n
Ashjian cites opposing Measure E twice \u2014 the tax proposal for Fresno State that voters defeated \u2014 and supporting Measure A, a 2024 voter-approved bond for Clovis Unified. Valley Watchdogs is Ashjian\u2019s campaign group. As of its June 30 filing with Fresno County, it has $12,595 in the bank.<\/p>\n
Measure S supporters hold signs at the campaign kickoff news conference at Vinland Park in Fresno on Sept. 9, 2026. David Taub The Fresno Bee <\/p>\n
This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 2:01 PM.<\/p>\n