Bee recommendation: Vote no on Measure C so the plan can be made better with more input

Thirty years ago this fall, Bill Clinton was on his way to defeating George H. W. Bush for the presidency. Gas cost an average of $1.11 nationally. And smartphones, like the ones that are ubiquitous today, were not yet a thing.

The year was 1992. It seems like ancient history now. That’s because a lot can happen in 30 years.

In the upcoming November election, Fresno County taxpayers are being asked to continue a transportation tax for the next 30 years. Measure C is a half-cent sales tax that began in 1986 to fund road and highway construction. It was renewed in 2006, and if voters approve again, will continue to 2057.

It will generate an estimated $6.8 billion over the next three decades, making it one of the most significant taxes paid by consumers in the county. For every dollar spent on retail purchases, a half cent will go to the Measure C account.

Drivers know roads in Fresno County need help. Crumbling pavement, countless potholes and dirt roads in some places are testament to that fact. So are the lack of curbs, gutters and street trees.

Thoughtful voters will ask themselves: Is Measure C the right tax at the right time for local transportation needs?

But actually, that is not the most important question. The real issue is this:

What will Fresno County be like in 30 years, and can Measure C help us get there?

What Measure C does

Of the money raised by the tax, 51.3%, or $3.5 billion, goes to street repair and maintenance on local roadways. The next big allotment — $1.2 billion — falls under the “local control” heading, and can be used however the local jurisdiction chooses, be it the city of Fresno, the county, or a small city like Parlier.

Two percent of the money, or $144 million, would go to environmental sustainability. Another $75 million, or 1.2%, would be devoted to paths for pedestrians, bikes, and safe routes to schools.

Given the climate change impacts already being experienced across the state, a 2% share for environmental sustainability is woefully small.

Critics of the measure have said the allotment for bike and walking paths and safe routes for schoolchildren is also much too little.

Other critics have loudly complained that the organizers of Measure C — the Fresno Council of Governments and Fresno County Transportation Authority — did a halfhearted attempt at finding out what county residents want in the plan. Those critics believe even more outreach is needed, especially in lower-income communities.

The agencies said they did a superb job of outreach via meetings and surveys. On this point, there will be no agreement.

One thing is sure: The 1,600 miles of roads in Fresno County are a major public investment made over decades. Which brings us to the future of Measure C.

The way forward

Measure C could be the right way to pay for roads. But this is not the right time to decide that question. The current lifespan of Measure C runs through 2026. Given the option of a few more years, Measure C should be considered an opportunity to envision what Fresno County will be in the next 30 years, what residents will need, and how its transportation network figures into that future.

Some questions to ponder:

▪ Will single-driver cars remain the dominant form of transportation? Or should electrified mass transit play more of a role as a way to move people cleanly and efficiently? If yes, should more money be put toward transit?

▪ Will electric vehicles become dominant? If yes, will charging stations be abundant and available countywide?

▪ If farming gets scaled back due to ongoing water shortages and more ag workers no longer have jobs, might urban centers like Fresno and Clovis become even more critical for employment, and what might that mean for vehicle use, congestion and road needs?

There are doubtless other, better questions that residents from throughout the county might have. Those questions need to be aired with more outreach. Significant segments of the community believe they were not properly heard.

Measure C, as a funding plan, is needed. But as conceived at this moment, it is not the best vision. Voters should turn down Measure C now to show local decision makers that bigger thinking is required and more citizen involvement is needed. On behalf of the next 30 years, let’s make Measure C better.

This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 5:30 AM.