BEST GOVERNMENT RED LIGHT CAMERA LOBBYISTS CAN BUY?

Monday, May 18, 2009, 03:22 PM

A House committee has rejected legislation that would have prohibited municipalities from using automated cameras to issue traffic tickets.

Reps. Jeff Arnold and Cedric Richmond, New Orleans Democrats, are sponsors of the bill that would outlaw use of the cameras that catch speeders and motorists who run red lights.

Richmond and Arnold had formed a facebook group opposing the cameras: over 1,700 people are in that group.

THE DEAD PELICAN was present at the hearing.

Among the many bills heard while THE DEAD PELICAN was there, HB 480 had more supporters who showed up in person. Before we had to leave, a total of SIX people (ordinary citizens) had testified in favor of the bill and against the red light cameras.

THE DEAD PELICAN has learned that many of the bill's opponents were persons making money off the red light camera companies.

Apparently, those representing the red-light companies were able to exert more influence than ordinary citizens were.

Nine transportation committee members voted against the measure, which had seven votes in favor.

It was noted at the hearing that the ONLY city allowed to vote on whether or not to allow red light cameras was the city of Sulphur, Louisiana: the people of Sulphur rejected them.

----------------------------------
by Chad E. Rogers
http://www.thedeadpelican.com
(C)THE DEAD PELICAN 2009