Fresno County has launched a lawsuit against the State of California and the proponents of the ‘Better Roads, Safe Streets’ transportation tax initiative. The lawsuit, which was filed after a 3-2 vote by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, names Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and other local officials as defendants.
Background
The lawsuit is in response to the implementation of AB 1923, a bill that was quickly pushed through the state legislature and signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The bill aims to qualify the Better Roads initiative for the November election, but the county supervisors argue that it contradicts state election law.
The supervisors claim that the bill’s language is too vague and could open up the county to litigation. They also argue that the bill’s intent is to circumvent the will of the voters. The county’s legal counsel will represent the board of supervisors in the lawsuit, while the county clerk and registrar of voters, James Kus, will obtain separate representation.
Reaction
Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, who co-authored AB 1923, issued a statement framing the board’s move as an attempt to circumvent the will of the voters. The city of Fresno has announced a special city council meeting to discuss and contemplate withdrawing their general tax proposal from the ballot.
The lawsuit is expected to lead to a court order stopping Kus from carrying out AB 1923’s mandate. The case is likely to cultivate confusion and frustration among local residents and elected officials, who are struggling to prepare for a life without Measure C, the 40-year-old countywide transportation tax that will expire next summer.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
