Transcript below the fold:
Everybody hates traffic cameras, you hate em, I hate em, everybody hates them. No one likes the Idea of the government keeping tabs on us in any area of our lives, period.
The headline in the Local and State section of the "Gainesville Sun" from February 11th 2014 reads "Crashes rise at red-light camera spots, report shows." But, that headline is somewhat misleading. True, according to a report by the Legislator's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Governmental Accountability(OPPAGA) total crashes were up 12% and of that 12%, side angle crashes were up 22% and rear end collisions were up 35%. However, The report also says that fatalities at those intersections are down 49% and side-swipe accidents are down 84%.
The Florida Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes a Republican from St. Petersburg would like to seize on that slight up-tick of total accidents at these camera equipped traffic lights in order to pass legislation to get rid of the cameras. His beef is not with any threat to safety, but with the revenue these cameras generate in fines. Fines have increased 200% since 2010 and have sent between $56 million and $119 million dollars to state and local governments in the last budget year alone. To hear Rep. Frank Artiles a Republican from Miami tell it "The red-light camera program really boils down to local governments profiteering and balancing their budgets on the backs of hard-working Floridians..."
By his choice of words, Representative Artiles has admitted to us what is really going on. The companies that operate these red-light cameras make between $4,250 and $4,750 a month for each camera. This is according to the "Gainesville Sun" with Lloyd Dunkelberger of Halifax Media Services reporting and it's not really clear whether that is per camera which might be as many as four cameras an intersection or per intersection. Regardless, the important thing is that Representative Artiles never mentioned the profits of the Camera companies. Though 8 out of ten municipalities reported a net gain from these cameras, 16% of them had trouble making enough money to pay the camera vendors.
Lets be clear, the camera vendors get paid no matter what, and the legislation they want to pass doesn't seem to be directed at the amount of money these camera vendors get. Instead, the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee has passed a bill that will not only prevent more cameras from being installed but will sharply reduce the amount of revenue the municipalities can get from the cameras. Municipalities will be able to "levy a 'surcharge' that would let them recoup 'administrative costs' as well as pay their contractual obligations to the red-light camera companies that operate the systems." Basically, what they are doing is cutting the small municipal governments out of the cash flow. So then, when you pay a fine for running a red light, most of the money you will be paying goes to the camera company and not the city that you live in.
Why would two Republican legislators want to throttle back cash flow to small municipal governments? If they really cared about the government raising money "on the backs of hard-working Floridians" why don't they get rid of the lottery, or "pay to stay" for prisoners? The lottery and "pay to stay" are enormous burdens for poor working people. Running red lights is against the law, and fatalities are coming down as a result of the cameras, so there is no clear moral argument for getting rid of them. Accept that most people don't like them.
Municipal governments can't horde their cash, they can't invest it in the stock market, or anything like that. They have to spend it. And, there is only so much a city can buy. A lot of that money is going to pay for the labor needed to make what ever upgrades and repairs a city can afford. In short, the cash flow from those red-light cameras creates much needed jobs. And, it appears as though Representative Artiles and Senator Brandes are either unaware of that fact or they simply don't care. Any legislation designed to cut cash flow to municipalities is really cutting jobs for the same hard-working Floridians these two lawmakers claim they really care about. In any case, let's hope these two men are being guided by the needs of Floridians and not the national politics of the Republican party.
My name is R. Crosby Lyles. Thanks for watching "News from the can."
"The Job Killers" Written, produced, and voice talent by R. Crosby Lyles
February 12th 2014
The opinions expressed here are strictly those of R. Crosby Lyles.
R. Crosby Lyles is not affiliated with any entity associated with this subject matter, nor is he compensated in any way for this production accept by YouTube monetization.
Sources:
Gainesville Sun via Lloyd Dunkelberger of Halifax Media Services
http://www.gainesville.com/...
Tampa Bay times:"Legislators say new state report shows no need for red-light cameras"
http://www.tampabay.com/...
T.B.Times important details:
"The repeal proposals, Senate Bill 144 and House Bill 4009, have yet to receive any committee hearings. Brandes said he was waiting for the state report before proceeding."
"House Bill 7005 would slash the fine from $158 to $83 by removing the $75 that usually goes to local government agencies. Municipalities would be able to impose a surcharge to fund existing cameras, but it would have to be discussed at a public hearing and approved by majority vote."