2/12/10-A controversial proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to retool the state’s red-light cameras has stalled.
As part of the governor’s plan to terminate a $20 billion deficit in California’s two-year state budget, he included a proposal to generate more money through modifying the state’s traffic cameras. That idea took a hit in the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office spoke in favor of the proposal.
“Overall we think the proposal is a good one. It would create an opportunity for the locals to generate some revenue and the state to generate some revenue,” LAO analyst Drew Soderborg told committee members.
Despite the endorsement of the LAO, lawmakers were not convinced speed cameras are the way to go.
Schwarzenegger’s plan calls for authorizing local governments to dole out pricey tickets for speeding through intersections with red-light cameras posted. Violators would face as much as $325 fines.
The administration estimates the speeding tickets from 500 cameras statewide would generate about $338 million a year for such purposes as courthouse security. Revenue would be split between local governments (15 percent) and the state (85 percent).
Opponents, including OOIDA, question the claims that cameras are solely intended to keep people safe.
“The fact that this effort is included in the governor’s budget proposal, as opposed to a safety bill, speaks volumes as to the real motivation for the cameras,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer.
Similar sentiment was provided by Senate Transportation Chairman Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach. He called the proposal a “terrible idea” driven by the pursuit of money, instead of enhancing safety.
“This is a cynical attempt to generate revenue without dealing with the policy,” Lowenthal told lawmakers.