Better Roads, Safe Streets Coalition Applauds Assemblymember Soria, Senator Caballero for Fighting to Secure Ballot Access for Fresno County Voters
The Better Roads, Safe Streets coalition issued the following statement today expressing strong support of legislation introduced by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and Senator Anna Caballero to ensure the citizen-led transportation measure reaches the November 2026 ballot:
“The Better Roads, Safe Streets coalition applauds Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and Senator Caballero for standing up for Fresno County taxpayers, working families, and local communities by introducing AB 1923. Their leadership ensures that tens of thousands of local residents who signed petitions to place this measure on the ballot will have their voices heard.
“We’re glad to see this wave of local support grow. Mayors across Fresno County, both urban and rural, have stepped up to demand the same thing we’re demanding: let the voters decide.
“Assemblymember Soria and Senator Caballero recognize that local control and voter empowerment are essential to solving our region’s transportation challenges. By clearing the path for voters to decide their own infrastructure future this November, Assemblymember Soria and Senator Caballero are helping protect billions of dollars in critical funding our cities and county desperately need to repair potholes, improve emergency response times, and keep kids safe on their way to school.
“We are deeply grateful for Assemblymember Soria’s and Senator Caballero’s unwavering commitment to the Central Valley, and we look forward to working alongside them and other state leaders to pass this vital legislation and let the voters decide in November.”
Statement by Joan Eaton, a proponent of the measure:
“For far too long, our neighborhood streets, local roads, and rural routes have been left behind. Our coalition—representing a historic partnership of community advocates, labor, business leaders, local elected officials, and everyday residents—crafted a plan that fixes local roads first, protects public safety, and guarantees zero-fare transit for students, seniors, and veterans without raising taxes. I commend Assemblymember Soria and Senator Caballero for their bold action in working to place the measure on the November ballot.”
Statement by Veronica Garibay, a proponent of the measure:
“A huge thank you to Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria and State Senator Anna Caballero for their leadership. Through this bill, Assemblywoman Soria and Senator Caballero are doing what all leaders should do: listening to and respecting the will of the voters. More than 32,000 taxpayers signed the petition to place the Fresno County Transportation Improvement Act on the November ballot. I am grateful for their commitment to democracy — and for championing the effort to ensure the electorate can vote on a measure that will create 68,000 jobs, fix our roads, make streets safer, and add close to $14 billion to our economy in the years ahead.”
Statement from Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria
“Senator Caballero and I have heard from Mayors throughout Fresno County, and more importantly, we have heard directly from our Fresno community and constituents about the importance of Measure C. Voters in Fresno County should not be denied an opportunity to decide the future of Measure C.
“We cannot afford to do nothing. Doing so will result in the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs throughout the Valley, along with critically needed road improvements throughout Fresno County. Senator Caballero and I remain committed to the greater Fresno community and will do everything in our power to ensure voters in Fresno County have the opportunity to have their voices heard on November 3, 2026.”
Statement of Senator Anna Caballero
“Local control is about more than the authority of elected officials—it also means respecting the will of the people. In this case, more than 32,000 Fresno County residents signed petitions to qualify a successor to Measure C for the ballot. Assemblywoman Soria and I are advancing this bill to ensure the community has the final say.”
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Background Information
On July 31, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Clovis Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua, writing on behalf of the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area’s 700,000 residents, sent a letter to Assemblywoman Soria and Senator Caballero asking for their assistance in finding a lawful path to place the measure on the ballot. That same day, mayors from nine of the county’s rural cities — Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Huron, Kerman, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, and San Joaquin — sent a similar letter, warning that further delay would jeopardize road safety, local jobs, and critical matching funds for smaller communities.
Both letters noted that the measure qualified for the ballot with more than 32,000 signatures submitted — well above the 21,909 required — and was certified by the Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters on July 8, before the Board of Supervisors voted on July 14 to delay its placement.