The issue of cities installing red light cameras is getting some attention in the state Senate:
After being stalled for nearly a month, a bill that would thwart a Houston initiative to catch red-light violators by placing cameras at intersections finally got a hearing Thursday in the state Senate.
The bill received overwhelming approval in February in the House, where sentiment has run strongly against red-light cameras for several years.
Sen. Frank Madla, D-San Antonio, who chairs the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, said the panel appears split on the bill. Madla was the only one of the five committee members who listened to testimony Thursday, as senators attended other meetings. He said he hopes the committee will vote on the bill next week.
The bill would prohibit cities from issuing civil citations against the owners of cars photographed running red lights. That is the approach planned in Houston and other cities.
[snip]
Houston and several other cities are fighting the bill, as are companies that want contracts to provide camera systems.
The cities are promoting camera enforcement as a safety measure. Opponents contend the cities’ real motivation is increasing fine revenue. They also raise privacy concerns.
Since Mayor White/Chief Hurtt have been thwarted on another revenue stream (SAFEclear) and the city keeps announcing new spending ideas, red light camera revenue would come in very handy to pay for shiny new police badges and graffiti removal.
Someday perhaps their to-do list will include hiring some police officers.
RELATED: Do red light cameras reduce accidents or generate revenue? (blogHOUSTON)
