Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 4, 2018

Former Republican Rep. Bryan Nelson has shifted positions on red-light cameras now that he’s running for Apopka mayor, but it’s starting to look like the change wasn’t so much an evolution as it was a total 180. Nelson was an outspoken champion of red-light cameras when he was in the Legislature, often promoting the controversial […]

Michael MolineMarch 23, 2017

6154_RedLightCamera.orig-max-640x640-1024x1024.jpg

The Florida House voted Thursday to ban the use of red light cameras to enforce traffic laws in the state. The vote on final passage went 91-22. Supporters argued the cameras don’t save lives and have become money-makers for vendors, some of them located out of state. “It has become less about public safety and […]

Joe HendersonMarch 22, 2017

Depending on your point of view, red-light cameras in Florida are either: A) Of great benefit to public safety by making drivers think twice when approaching a changing traffic light; or B) a cash grab by communities that amounts to a backdoor tax. Just we’re clear, I’m on the side of Option B. While several […]

Associated PressMarch 20, 2017

The House on Wednesday is expected to take up a bill that would ban red-light cameras in the state. The bill (HB 6007), which has easily passed House committees and is slated for a Wednesday floor session, would repeal a law that allows cities and counties to install and use red-light cameras. The ban would […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 21, 2017

A House bill to ban red-light cameras cleared its final committee Tuesday and is ready for a floor vote when the 2017 Legislative Session kicks off next month. The House Government Accountability Committee approved HB 6007 with a 13-3 vote; the only no votes came from Democratic Reps. Joe Abruzzo, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Clovis Watson. Last month, the bill had made […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2017

MONEY-STACKS-CONSUMER-CONFIDENCE-e1443209144360-1024x1024.jpg

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee mulled reports from the council auditor, Kirk Sherman, in its Thursday morning meeting. Discussed: the summary for Fiscal Year 2016, a report which led to a move to boost the city’s emergency reserve to 6 percent. According to the Jacksonville City Council auditor’s report, FY 2016 was a good year for […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 21, 2016

According to the Jacksonville City Council auditor’s report, FY 2016 was a good year for the city of Jacksonville’s budget, highlighted by a $29 million favorable variance in a $1.1 billion budget. Revenues were $15 million above budgetary expectations, and expenditures were $14 million under projections. However, underneath the rosy picture, the report spotlighted issues with pension […]

Ryan RayFebruary 4, 2016

A key Senate panel narrowly passed a proposal to effectively end the use of red light cameras around the state of Florida on Thursday. The Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill by a 4-3 party-line vote. Bill sponsor St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes, who also chairs the panel, said the bill simply reflects the public policy reality […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 7, 2016

On Nov. 16, 2015, the Orlando City Council approved a Consent Agenda item authorizing the largest-ever expansion and extension of the city’s red-light contract with American Traffic Solutions. The justification for the expansion was based on dubious safety claims and skewed data. After further investigation, based on responses to public records requests received from the […]

Guest AuthorNovember 16, 2015

The city of Orlando has a very important item on its Consent Agenda for Monday. That item is an amendment to the city’s red-light camera contract with American Traffic Solutions (formerly known as Lasercraft), and it’s very important because it calls for a contract extension of five years along with an expansion of up to […]

Tag: red-light cameras

Bryan Nelson’s about-face on red-light cameras

House votes to bar use of red light cameras to monitor intersections

Joe Henderson: Time to get rid of red-light cameras, but turn up heat on texting

House to take up red-light camera repeal

Red-light camera ban clears final House committee

Jacksonville City Council Finance committee moves to boost emergency reserve

FY 16 a boon for Jacksonville’s budget, but questions loom

Senate panel passes red light camera preemption 4-3

David Shaw: Breaking down Orlando’s questionable red-light camera data

David Shaw: Orlando using skewed data to boost red-light camera program