One Missouri Representative proposes regulation for red light cameras.
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One Missouri Representative proposes regulation for red light cameras.

Date: April 13, 2010
By: Allie Spillyards
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 1229

Intro:  Red light cameras are popping up around Missouri and proposed legislation discussed at a committee hearing Tuesday aims to regulate them.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: One Missouri Representative was alone in his goal to redirect fine money from red light cameras to school districts.

He said he believed this could minimize the spread of "big brother" policies.

Representative Will Kraus defended his bill saying this policy shouldn't change the cost to the city.

Actuality:  KRAUS.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "It's no different than adding another police officer. When you need one, you go out and you petition and you add police officers.This is no different. If this is a need, if this is truly about safety and the city is doing it for safety purposes, this legislation allows them to do that."
 
Opponents from Missouri government agencies said they disagreed and believed this policy would create a loss of revenue for Missouri cities and police departments.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Allie Spillyards.

Intro:  Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis County would lose red light camera enforcement revenue under proposed legislation.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representative Will Kraus presented a bill that would funnel all fines from red light cameras into the school district of each camera location.

He said he was opposed to future additions of too many cameras and thinks this legislation would prevent it.

St. Louis County Municipal League spokesman said the revenue generated by the cameras isn't enough to worry about.

Actuality:  FISHES.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "A hundred dollar fine, more or less, is that enough of a reason to say that we ought to take control away from local officials on how they try to manage that enforcement mechanism."
 
Other opponents said taking this money away from the police departments would be a big cost for many Missouri cities.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Allie Spillyards.