Measure C replacement tax initiative heads to back to the ballot after Gov. Newsom signs AB 1923

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The future of Fresno County's Measure C replacement tax initiative will be decided by voters in November after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1923 on Thursday.

The California Senate passed the bill earlier in the day before it was sent to the governor's desk in the afternoon. The legislation was introduced earlier this week by State Sen. Anna Caballero and Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria with the goal of ensuring the Measure C replacement tax, also known as the "Better Roads, Safe Streets Initiative," appears on the November ballot.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation protects voters' ability to decide the future of transportation funding in Fresno County.

"It will protect one of the most fundamental expressions of local control we have. The right of voters to decide the future of their own community," Caballero said.

The bill moved through the legislative process quickly. After passing a state elections committee vote on Wednesday, AB 1923 advanced to the Senate floor, where a majority of senators voted in favor of the measure before it was signed by Newsom.

Soria praised the legislation's passage and the governor's action.

"It is a reminder that democracy matters and that we will not allow just three individuals from Fresno County to, you know, try to essentially block a citizen-led initiative," Soria said.

The legislation comes after the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted last month to pause the Measure C replacement tax initiative pending further review.

Supervisor Garry Bredefeld defended the board's actions.

"That is our constitutional responsibility. It's called doing our duly elected job," Bredefeld said.

County supervisors have criticized the legislation, also known as the "Fresno County Transportation Improvement Act," and described it as an attack on local government. Bredefeld said he plans to ask fellow board members to pursue legal action.

"I will call upon my colleagues to vote to initiate immediate litigation at our upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting," Bredefeld said.

Soria said the newly approved process gives voters the opportunity to determine the future of transportation funding in the county.

"Now there is a successor measure that they will have an opportunity to weigh in, whether that's what they want the future of transportation funding to be in Fresno County," Soria said.

Bredefeld also alleged that the initiative was being driven by Ashley Swearengin, president and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, and claimed corruption involving Newsom and the former Fresno mayor.

In a statement to Action News, the Central Valley Community Foundation said:

"Supervisor Bredefeld is referring to inaccurate reporting from over a year ago. The Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) corrected the reporter at that time with the following, accurate information: While the CVCF is a fiscal sponsor for the California Partners Project and has been since 2020, we have never been solicited to donate funds to the project, nor has CVCF ever made a donation to the Project. Second, grants received by CVCF from the State were secured through two phases of a competitive solicitation administered by the California Employment Development Department beginning in October 2023 and again in February 2024."

Action News also reached out to CEO Ashley Swearengin about the bill's passing, stating:

"I'm so grateful for the leadership of Assemblymember Soria and Senator Caballero - because of them, as well as the support of Governor Newsom - Fresno County voters will have a chance to vote on their own transportation ballot measure in November. It's been invigorating to see thousands of residents, over 40 community organizations, and almost a dozen local government partners work together for over two years to draft this measure and get it to the ballot. This is an exciting moment! Now, it's on to November!"

Last week, the Fresno City Council last approved its own Measure C replacement tax proposal but announced it would no longer appear on the ballot after Newsom signed AB 1923.

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