# Fresno County transportation tax dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fresno-county-transportation-tax-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-31T17:02:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

The California Legislature advanced Assembly Bill 1923, a measure intended to require Fresno County to place the ‘Better Roads, Safe Streets’ half-cent sales tax on the November ballot. The bill aims to provide a replacement for the expiring Measure C tax. While supporters argued the measure was necessary to fund transportation projects, some Fresno County supervisors opposed the bill, claiming it bypassed local control.

Following the signing of AB 1923 by Governor Gavin Newsom, a legal dispute emerged. Although the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted to postpone the tax election until March 2028, Elections Clerk James Kus indicated his intention to follow the state law and include the measure on the November ballot. In response, Fresno County filed a lawsuit against the State of California, the Better Roads Safe Streets campaign, and the Elections Clerk, challenging the constitutionality of the bill and arguing that it creates conflicts within existing election laws.

A Fresno County Superior Court judge has since ruled that the state acted legally in passing AB 1923. Judge Jonathan Skiles rejected the county’s arguments that the bill was unconstitutional. Following the ruling, Fresno County Board Chair Garry Bredefeld announced that the county would not appeal the decision. Consequently, the ‘Better Roads, Safe Streets’ initiative, also referred to as Measure S, will proceed to the November countywide general election.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Fresno County judge upholds Measure S transportation tax ballot status

A Fresno County judge ruled that Assembly Bill 1923 is valid, ensuring the Measure S transportation tax initiative remains on the November ballot despite legal challenges from the county.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fresno-county-judge-upholds-measure-s-transportation-tax-ballot-status

### 2026-08-11: Fresno County sues over transportation tax ballot measure

Fresno County is suing the State of California and election officials to challenge AB 1923, a law requiring a proposed transportation tax measure to appear on the November ballot.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fresno-county-sues-over-transportation-tax-ballot-measure

### 2026-08-06: California Senate advances AB 1923 to put Better Roads tax on November ballot

California’s AB 1923, backed by Soria and Caballero, moves toward the Senate floor to place a Fresno County transportation tax on the November ballot, facing opposition from local supervisors and possible legal

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-senate-advances-ab-1923-to-put-better-roads-tax-on-november-ballot

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Cite as: Fresno County transportation tax dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fresno-county-transportation-tax-dispute
