House Passes Red-Light Camera Repeal 59-57

The House passed a measure backed by Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-New Port Richey, which would repeal the bill on red-light cameras passed in the 2010 session. The repeal measure passed by the slimmest of margins59 to 57.

Nothing like a little drama on Monday on Week 9, said Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, after reading the results.

In a strange twist, Rep. Gary Aubuchon, who chairs the Rules and Calendar Committee, served as the floor manager against Corcorans measure, recognizing other members of the House leadership in attacking their fellow Republicans bill. Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, managed the floor for Corcorans bill.

Republicans, including Rep. Ed Hooper of Clearwater and Rep. Bill Proctor of St. Augustine, attacked the research behind Corcorans bill, insisting that their own findings showed red-light cameras helped increase public safety. Other Republicans like Rep. Eddy Gonzalez of Hialeah Gardens, Rep. Clay Ford of Pensacola and Rep. Matt Hudson of Naples insisted that the red-light cameras dramatically increased safety and pointed to statistics from their own region.

I believe the red-light cameras are about awareness, said Gonzalez, arguing that motorists know where the cameras are and drive safer.

Red light cameras have stopped accidents, said Rep. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City. They save lives.

Schenck managed representatives from both parties who insisted that the red-light cameras were all about increasing revenue instead of improving public safety.

The only thing this law is doing is generating revenue for municipalities, said Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami.

Red-light cameras present a real disincentive for local governments to fix the problem, said Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs.