FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Mayors from across Fresno County, alongside community members, came together on Wednesday to announce their plan for a new Measure C.
The half-cent sales tax has funded transportation improvements over the last 40 years. However, Measure C is expected to expire next year, which means the main funding source for road work will come to an end.
Now, these mayors are proposing a new plan with a fresh focus: repairing potholes, fixing local roads, and creating safe routes to school. These messages were prominently displayed on signs during Wednesday’s announcement.
They plan to launch a new campaign to get a renewal of Measure C on the November ballot.
“This is not an urban versus rural measure. This is not a north end versus south end; this is a transportation measure for all,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer of the City of Fresno.
### What’s Different About the New Measure C?
Unlike the expiring Measure C, which funded a new interchange between highways 41, 168, and 180—and extended highway 180 past Sanger—this new Measure C includes no funding for freeway expansion.
The vast majority of the funds, 65%, will go toward maintenance, amounting to $4.8 billion. Another 25% ($1.9 billion) will fund public transit, 5% will support regional connectivity, 4% will be allocated for transportation innovation, and 1% will cover administration costs.
### Focus on Rural Communities
Rural communities in towns like Coalinga, Huron, and Mendota are a focal point of the new measure.
Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez highlighted past disparities: “For the past 25 years, we’ve received only $5 million to fix our roads. This plan means the City of Mendota will be a recipient of $60 million, and that’s going to help us address and fix all those issues that we have in the community.”
### A Brief History of Measure C
The first Measure C was approved by voters in 1986 and renewed in 2006. However, a renewal attempt failed in 2022 amid criticism of the proposed projects.
Since that rejection, Fresno County officials have debated how to revise the proposal, but those discussions have largely stalled.
### Mixed Reactions from Officials
Councilmember Miguel Arias of the City of Fresno shared his perspective: “Their point was very blunt and direct to us — who cares about buses, we don’t use them. I think the days of three old guys dictating the future of public transit and transit for millions of people are behind us.”
Councilmember Arias also called out County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld by name, noting that Bredefeld chose not to put their proposal to a vote, which forced proponents to pursue a citizen-led measure.
Supervisor Bredefeld criticized the new plan: “The Measure Cs in the past have worked, but this one has been hijacked by a bunch of left-wing radicals who want to get people out of their cars and riding bicycles and buses and electric scooters to work. That’s what this is all about. They don’t put the necessary amount of money to fix streets and roads.”
Supporters of the new measure emphasize that funding public transit has long been part of Measure C, and this version only increases that funding by 1%.
https://abc30.com/post/citizen-led-measure-go-november-2026-ballot/18404350/
