“After discussing the issue and at the request of several legislators, Governor Richardson has agreed to put the red-light camera issue on the agenda for the ongoing session,” the New Mexico governor’s blog stated. “The governor believes it is reasonable for the legislature to revisit the issue.”
Richardson, who recently dropped out of the presidential race, is taking aim at Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez (D) who recently quit his run for the US Senate. Chavez had promised Richardson that he would drop the cost of fines in return for the veto, but Chavez has failed to hold up his end of the bargain. By doing so, Chavez has enjoyed $11.7 million in revenue since 2005 with more than $5.1 million in net profit to spend on new government programs.
Chavez briefly toyed with the idea of killing his automated ticketing program after it proved unpopular and became a drag on his aspirations to higher office. The city council, however, recently discovered that it has no ability to cancel the contract because of backroom agreements Chavez made with Australian vendor Redflex in 2005. The changes erased a cancellation clause that had been part of a draft contact approved by the city council. Some council members expressed concern that after more than two years of ticketing, even the city’s “blue ribbon panel” comprised of government officials and the insurance industry failed to generate evidence that the program has provided a public safety benefit.
Additional key quote: “The council is also powerless to change the per-ticket method of compensation that gives Redflex up to $45 for each ticket it is able to issue.”
Mayor Marty is looking to the courts to overturn the limit that prevents him from seeking a third term. It seems to this observer (who doesn’t live in the city) that it’s the people of Albuquerque that should be looking to the courts — to remove the mayor from office.
I drive fast, and have collected several speeding tickets, but out here in San Diego, the red-light runners were getting out of hand. Especially left turn on arrow folks. The red light cameras are no threat to me, and are of use.
I call bullshit on the “our hands are tied” crap, just break the contract, use the windfall profits to fight the inevitable lawsuits it in the courts. Make the company spend even more money to get at our money instead of just given it outright because of a contract. Contracts are broken every day and should be especially if they were backroom ones to start of with.
For the record, I completely stole title of this post and premise of this post for a post on my blog. I am, at the very least, an honest thief.