There was a clear effort to tally 180,000 votes for Measure C renewal. But as it turns out, that’s a little less than the amount of votes it needs to get passed. For example, the approval of Measure C’s renewal needs to be at least at two-thirds of a vote. And currently? It’s barely above 58%. Which is to say the 30-year, $7 Billion Transportation ballot is not likely to happen at all. Even with the remaining 20,000 votes, it still appears to be reliant on winning 90% of the remaining ballots in order to really prove successful for voters of Measure C. As of now, the leaders will have to try and try again to rewrite Measure C. 2024 and 2026, specifically, may be their last chances to correct the system.
2024 and 2026 may be the final opportunities for local leaders to organize the half-cent local transportation program.
But if they can’t pass the Measure C renewal, it’ll expire in 2027.
In a public statement, the No on Measure C Committee stated how there’s better things than waiting around for the approval of politicians in office. In a statement, the committee had this to say: ”Fresno County voters’ rejection of Measure C sends a clear message to politicians that they can’t make decisions for us without us, or spend our tax dollars without our guidance. We know we deserve better. Now is the time to chart our own path forward, a path that leads us to an inclusive transportation plan that is truly reflective of community needs and opportunities.”
Mayor Jerry Dyer could be less than surprised by the failure of the renewal campaign. It appears that the renewal campaign wasn’t going to lead there. In his own press release, Mayor Dyer spoke at length about how he was disappointed, but not surprised, by the outcome. Overcoming a two-thirds vote threshold is very difficult, considering how the nation goes through such massive inflationary rates, the likes of which they haven’t seen in over 40 years.
Very few people actually support the measure
Within the last eight months, Measure C has been consistently receiving opposition from large numbers of organized groups. Through the various political parties, Measure C has been attacked by Republicans and Democrats alike. Within four labor unions, there has been opposition that has approached the spending plan in the fall. Measure C, in theory, sounded simple. It was meant for major revenues, like asphalt and concrete repaving projects, due to heavy-duty truck traffic. All from the logistics and agricultural industry, while taking a hefty toll upon county roads.
This is all leading up to $1.7 billion maintenance funding shortfall. Planners had been wanting taxpayers to foot the maintenance bill, with internal polls showing up as the highest priority for county voters to repave local roads. The $7 billion Measure C proposal, showed in higher rates of local sales tax revenue that can go to road maintenance by $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
It’s hopeful that somehow, officials will use the funds on the increase of the average road condition throughout the following 20 years.
