This community opinion was contributed by Leslie Austin. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
Measure A is a setback disguised as progress:
It doesn’t ensure community voice, solve traffic, housing, or conservation needs
San Benito County is at a critical crossroads. As a 37-year resident of Aromas, working at the intersection of environmental, labor, and social justice issues, I’m committed to preserving our county’s open spaces, wildlife, and rural way of life. While Measure A may look appealing on the surface, it doesn’t deliver the solutions San Benito County actually needs. Here’s why I, along with emergency responders, public safety officials, farmers, seniors’ advocates, educators, and community leaders, urge a “No” vote on Measure A.
Measure A doesn’t reflect all voters—It limits participation
While Measure A claims to empower voters by requiring public votes on each land-use decision, it actually limits broad community engagement. The frequent voting Measure A requires would most likely concentrate decision-making among a select group of residents who have the time and resources to stay involved in every land-use vote—typically retirees or those with flexible schedules. Most working residents, particularly commuters or those balancing multiple jobs, simply don’t have the capacity to engage at this level.
As a result, this measure risks sidelining the voices of younger residents, working families, and those most affected by housing and job shortages. Instead of broadening community input, Measure A could narrow it to a small, vocal group that doesn’t fully represent the diverse needs of San Benito County. If we’re serious about creating an inclusive process, we need structured avenues that balance expert guidance with public participation, rather than blanket voting requirements that are accessible to only a few.
Measure A won’t stop traffic—It’ll make it worse
Highway 25 traffic is a nightmare, and Measure A won’t help—it’ll actually make things worse. By restricting development in unincorporated areas while growth in Hollister continues unchecked, Measure A ignores the real source of congestion. Currently, 90% of our county’s growth is happening in Hollister, where more housing is already planned. Measure A has no power over this growth within city limits, so traffic on Highway 25 will keep rising, with or without this measure.
Without Measure A, we’d have the flexibility to approve projects in select unincorporated areas that could generate revenue for necessary infrastructure, including expanding Highway 25. But if Measure A passes, it will block these revenue opportunities, making it impossible to secure the matching funds needed from CalTrans. Measure A isn’t just ineffective on traffic—it’s a barrier to any real solution.
Measure A doesn’t solve the housing crisis—It makes solutions harder
San Benito County’s housing needs are complex, shaped by economic cycles that push projects forward during market booms and stall them during downturns. When these projects finally move forward, it’s often all at once, creating a surge that makes growth feel “uncontrolled.” Measure A does nothing to address these cycles. Instead, it adds delays that could accumulate, worsening the backlog and increasing the likelihood of another surge when the market rebounds. This creates an inefficient cycle where projects stuck in limbo suddenly flood the market, amplifying the strain on infrastructure, services, and housing costs when demand rises again.
And it’s not just housing that’s impacted. Measure A’s restrictions signal to businesses that San Benito is “closed for business,” making them think twice about investing here. Our county needs local jobs and stable revenue—not a reputation as a place where every decision is tied up. A real solution combines expert planning with community input to manage growth responsibly, phase housing thoughtfully, and attract businesses that align with our values.
Measure A blocks proactive conservation, ignoring our strong legacy of preservation
San Benito County has a proud history of protecting open spaces and farmland. For over a century, we’ve preserved 98.9% of our land as agricultural, rural, or open space without needing restrictive measures like Measure A. Our success has come from a balanced approach to preservation that adapts over time, guided by planners, elected representatives, and community members who understand our county’s unique needs.
However, Measure A’s one-size-fits-all approach could disrupt this balance. By making every land-use change a public vote, it adds layers of red tape that may unintentionally shift growth into areas that are easier to develop—potentially bypassing county oversight and pushing development to edge areas where sprawl is more likely. Instead of being able to adjust thoughtfully to conservation needs or direct projects to the most appropriate locations, Measure A risks driving a scattered, less controlled growth pattern. Effective conservation requires flexibility and informed planning, not blanket restrictions that lack local insight and adaptability.
The people working for San Benito’s future oppose Measure A
Take a look at who’s against Measure A: emergency responders, public safety officials, educators, farmers, business leaders, affordable housing advocates, and community leaders who understand San Benito County’s unique needs and challenges. These are people who live and breathe the needs of San Benito County daily, balancing our budget, ensuring public safety, and planning for responsible growth. They oppose Measure A because they know it will make their hard work even harder, and voters even less satisfied with the outcomes.
A vote for the future we deserve
In 2022, our community already rejected Measure Q, a similar, less restrictive measure, recognizing that overly broad restrictions do more harm than good. San Benito County deserves real solutions—ones that balance growth with preservation, support essential infrastructure, and maintain our rural character. Measure A may sound like a quick fix, but it lacks the flexibility and insight we need to tackle our real challenges. Voting “No” on Measure A is a vote for practical, community-driven planning, thoughtful environmental protection, and an economy that truly serves everyone in San Benito County.
We must build a future that respects our land, supports our residents, and meets the challenges ahead in ways that are balanced, inclusive, and sustainable. We need a broader community conversation to define what we want San Benito County to become, and we must prioritize meaningful engagement that includes diverse voices and expert insights.
Vote “No” on Measure A for a resilient and sustainable San Benito County.
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