Letters: Vote YES on Measure T

I am honored to represent District 4 in the County of Madera and to serve as the Chair of the Madera County Transportation Commission and Authority. My commitment to Madera County and all our residents is steadfast, and I am asking for your support for Measure T.

I acknowledge the frustrations regarding our road maintenance programs; it’s understandable to feel that we’ve fallen short. However, it’s crucial to grasp how our funding operates. The state provides us with limited resources, and previous expenditure plans allocated significantly less for local streets and roads. With this new Expenditure Plan, we have a pivotal opportunity to enhance our roadways countywide, underscoring the importance of this initiative for our community. We are on the verge of nearly doubling the allocation for local streets and roads. According to the County’s Pavement Management Plan, this increase can lead to substantial improvements without introducing any new taxes. This measure is an existing tax paid by both residents and visitors who use our roads. It represents our best opportunity to bring about meaningful change over the next two decades.

Measure T funds the entirety of the County’s road maintenance budget. In fact, the Cities of Madera and Chowchilla rely on Measure T for nearly half of their road programs. Without this critical funding, we will be forced to reallocate budgets, which may detract from essential services such as police, fire, and parks and recreation. The Mayors and City Managers of Madera and Chowchilla have indicated their intent to pursue their own measures, which would leave the County in a vulnerable position and unable to explore new avenues until 2026 without state legislative support. We need Measure T to pass NOW. This investment package is the result of extensive outreach and proactive community engagement.