Fresno County sues Gov. Newsom over state-mandated road tax ballot

Governor Gavin Newsom recently approved Assembly Bill 1923, mandating that Fresno County place the Better Roads, Safe Streets initiative—a proposed half-cent sales tax to fund roads and other transportation—on the November ballot. County officials had previously ordered a 30-day review of a citizen-initiated measure they believed was intended to postpone the tax beyond November, prompting supporters to seek state intervention.

Fresno County Board Chairman Garry Bredefeld condemned the governor’s action as an attempt by Sacramento to override local self-governance, and the county has filed a lawsuit describing the bill as unique in California election history. Supervisor Nathan Magsig said the law is flawed, ambiguous, and raises serious constitutional concerns, while election clerk James Kus indicated he will comply with the statute but acknowledged the pending case could change the outcome.

Advocates such as Sandra Celedon maintain that democratic will cannot be blocked by a few officials and expect the tax to appear on the ballot. A judicial decision is due before the September 9 deadline for printing and distributing ballots.