Latest news with #SenateBill75
The Independent
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Georgia lawmakers push to ban automated speed cameras near schools
Outside Beacon Hill Middle School in the Atlanta suburb of Decatur, like along hundreds of roadsides across Georgia, the unblinking eye of a camera tickets drivers who speed through a school zone. Supporters say cameras slow down drivers and provide constant enforcement that understaffed police departments can't equal. But some state lawmakers want to ban them, saying the cameras are more about generating money for local governments and camera companies, and that some use them deceptively. More than 20 states and the District of Columbia allow automated traffic cameras to issue speeding tickets, but more than 10 other states have outlawed them. However, it would be unusual for a state to reverse its position. New Jersey had a pilot program testing cameras to enforce red lights, but pulled the plug in 2014. Georgia's fight will come to a head soon in its General Assembly, with three separate bills advancing out of committees. The state first authorized speed cameras, but only in school zones, in 2018. Opponents say cameras are about money not safety More than 100 representatives in Georgia's 180-member House signed on to House Bill 225, which would ban the cameras. Dale Washburn, the Macon Republican sponsoring that measure, provided a stack of emails from outraged people ticketed statewide who said lights weren't flashing, they didn't even know they were in a school zone, or the cameras were otherwise unfair. While the tickets in Georgia are civil citations and don't go on a driver's criminal record, the state does block people who don't pay from renewing their vehicle registration. Almost 125,000 unpaid violations were reported in 2024, the Georgia Department of Revenue said. The cameras generated more than $112 million in revenue in 54 Georgia cities and counties since 2019, WANF-TV found last year. Camera companies typically take a share of the revenue. 'These camera companies are engaged in deceit and trickery,' Washburn said. 'Their goal is to write tickets, not to enhance children's safety." One issue with abolishing cameras is that companies have become big political donors. Two big vendors, United Kingdom-based RedSpeed and Tennessee-based Blue Line Solutions, contributed around $500,000 to Georgia campaigns in recent years, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan watchdog that tracks money in politics. Others want to reform camera use, not end it Legislative leaders seem more likely to support two other bills that would keep cameras, but more closely regulate them by providing better warning signs and limiting the hours of usage. 'So the objective is to alert drivers that they're entering a school zone and get them to slow down and then for them not to be cited unless they are speeding in a school zone during designated hours,' said Republican Sen. Max Burns of Sylvania, who is sponsoring Senate Bill 75. An alternate House bill that is similar to Burns' would require half the money raised go to school safety. In Decatur, students surge out of Beacon Hill Middle at dismissal and walk along College Avenue, a two-lane street that's also a state highway. Unlike most places in Georgia, where most students travel home in buses or their parents' cars, a majority of Decatur's 5,300 students either walk or ride bikes home. Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said a student at Beacon Hill was struck in a hit-and-run accident and a crossing guard elsewhere was also hit before Decatur activated its cameras last fall. 'We really want to protect our most vulnerable residents, our students, and particularly when they are on foot or on a bicycle," Garrett said. Violations drop but many drivers still speed Police Chief Scott Richards said according to a speed study conducted by the company, speeding has fallen 92%. But there are still plenty of drivers flying through the five zones where Decatur is using cameras. They issued 4,500 valid citations in January alone, he said. 'We would not be able to get those reductions if it were not for the photo enforcement in school zones,' Richards said. Decatur officials tout their efforts as a model, saying the city has abundant signage and only operates the cameras for a 30 minutes before and after schools begin in the morning and dismiss in the afternoon. A vehicle must be traveling 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) per hour over the speed limit to be cited. Still, Washburn and others say the amount of money involved encourages overuse and bad behavior. 'Profit-based law enforcement cannot be trusted,' John Moore of Milledgeville wrote to Washburn in February. 'I hope you can convince your colleagues to vote this menace out of our state for good."
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia lawmakers push to ban automated speed cameras near schools
DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — Outside Beacon Hill Middle School in the Atlanta suburb of Decatur, like along hundreds of roadsides across Georgia, the unblinking eye of a camera tickets drivers who speed through a school zone. Supporters say cameras slow down drivers and provide constant enforcement that understaffed police departments can't equal. But some state lawmakers want to ban them, saying the cameras are more about generating money for local governments and camera companies, and that some use them deceptively. More than 20 states and the District of Columbia allow automated traffic cameras to issue speeding tickets, but more than 10 other states have outlawed them. However, it would be unusual for a state to reverse its position. New Jersey had a pilot program testing cameras to enforce red lights, but pulled the plug in 2014. Georgia's fight will come to a head soon in its General Assembly, with three separate bills advancing out of committees. The state first authorized speed cameras, but only in school zones, in 2018. Opponents say cameras are about money not safety More than 100 representatives in Georgia's 180-member House signed on to House Bill 225, which would ban the cameras. Dale Washburn, the Macon Republican sponsoring that measure, provided a stack of emails from outraged people ticketed statewide who said lights weren't flashing, they didn't even know they were in a school zone, or the cameras were otherwise unfair. While the tickets in Georgia are civil citations and don't go on a driver's criminal record, the state does block people who don't pay from renewing their vehicle registration. Almost 125,000 unpaid violations were reported in 2024, the Georgia Department of Revenue said. The cameras generated more than $112 million in revenue in 54 Georgia cities and counties since 2019, WANF-TV found last year. Camera companies typically take a share of the revenue. 'These camera companies are engaged in deceit and trickery,' Washburn said. 'Their goal is to write tickets, not to enhance children's safety.' One issue with abolishing cameras is that companies have become big political donors. Two big vendors, United Kingdom-based RedSpeed and Tennessee-based Blue Line Solutions, contributed around $500,000 to Georgia campaigns in recent years, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan watchdog that tracks money in politics. Others want to reform camera use, not end it Legislative leaders seem more likely to support two other bills that would keep cameras, but more closely regulate them by providing better warning signs and limiting the hours of usage. 'So the objective is to alert drivers that they're entering a school zone and get them to slow down and then for them not to be cited unless they are speeding in a school zone during designated hours,' said Republican Sen. Max Burns of Sylvania, who is sponsoring Senate Bill 75. An alternate House bill that is similar to Burns' would require half the money raised go to school safety. In Decatur, students surge out of Beacon Hill Middle at dismissal and walk along College Avenue, a two-lane street that's also a state highway. Unlike most places in Georgia, where most students travel home in buses or their parents' cars, a majority of Decatur's 5,300 students either walk or ride bikes home. Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said a student at Beacon Hill was struck in a hit-and-run accident and a crossing guard elsewhere was also hit before Decatur activated its cameras last fall. 'We really want to protect our most vulnerable residents, our students, and particularly when they are on foot or on a bicycle,' Garrett said. Violations drop but many drivers still speed Police Chief Scott Richards said according to a speed study conducted by the company, speeding has fallen 92%. But there are still plenty of drivers flying through the five zones where Decatur is using cameras. They issued 4,500 valid citations in January alone, he said. 'We would not be able to get those reductions if it were not for the photo enforcement in school zones,' Richards said. Decatur officials tout their efforts as a model, saying the city has abundant signage and only operates the cameras for a 30 minutes before and after schools begin in the morning and dismiss in the afternoon. A vehicle must be traveling 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) per hour over the speed limit to be cited. Still, Washburn and others say the amount of money involved encourages overuse and bad behavior.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School zone speed cameras clash: Georgia lawmakers to debate on ban vs. reform
The Brief Automated school zone speed cameras, authorized by a 2018 law, have faced scrutiny due to erroneous ticketing, leading to over half a million dollars in refunds in cities like Jonesboro, Riverdale, and Atlanta. State Rep. Dale Washburn is pushing for a ban on these cameras through House Bill 225, arguing they prioritize revenue over children's safety. A competing proposal, Senate Bill 75 by Sen. Max Burns, seeks to reform the system by limiting ticketing times and improving signage. Local officials, such as Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett, argue that removing the cameras would strain law enforcement resources and potentially compromise student safety. Since 2023, camera companies have donated $215,000 to the Georgia House Republican Trust, highlighting the financial stakes and influence in the debate. ATLANTA - A contentious debate is unfolding over the use of automated school zone speed cameras. These cameras, which were authorized by a 2018 law, are designed to monitor vehicle speeds near schools, photograph license plates, and issue tickets to violators. However, investigations by the FOX 5 I-Team last year revealed significant issues with the system, including the issuance of erroneous tickets to thousands of metro Atlantans. This led to over half a million dollars in refunds from cities like Jonesboro, Riverdale, and Atlanta. What we know State Rep. Dale Washburn, a Republican from Macon, is spearheading a legislative effort to ban these cameras through House Bill 225. The bill recently passed its first hurdle by gaining approval from the House Motor Vehicles Committee. Washburn argues that the cameras are more about generating revenue than ensuring children's safety. "When we see the deceit and trickery that's involved in this, the design is not for children's safety. The design is to write tickets and rake in revenue. There's no question about that," he stated. What they're saying Not everyone agrees with Washburn's approach. Some city governments and camera companies advocate for reform rather than a complete ban. Sen. Max Burns of Sylvania has introduced a competing bill, Senate Bill 75, which aims to reform the system by restricting ticketing to specific two-hour periods in the morning and afternoon. Bob Dallas, a lobbyist for Blue Line Solutions, expressed support for a revised bill that includes better signage and speed feedback signs. "What a lot of folks don't realize is that when the speed limits are reduced in the morning and afternoon, school districts do not have to have blinking lights. We believe that should be part of the program," Dallas noted. SEE MORE: Fight to ban school zone speed cameras begins in Georgia House Ga. lawmaker aims to shut down school zone speed cameras Thousands ticketed by school zone cameras set up further from the school than law allows The other side Local officials, like Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett, argue that removing the cameras would strain law enforcement resources. "If that tool is taken away, we don't have near enough officers to be able to cover all of our school zones," Garrett explained. Additionally, Ashley Rose-Toomer from the advocacy group Give School Kids a Brake raised concerns about the potential consequences of a ban, questioning what would happen if a student were injured or killed by a speeding driver. By the numbers The financial stakes are significant. Campaign finance records reveal that since 2023, camera companies such as Blue Line Solutions, RedSpeed, and American Traffic Solutions have collectively donated $215,000 to the Georgia House Republican Trust, a political action committee. This financial influence has not gone unnoticed, with Rep. Dewey McClain of Lawrenceville remarking, "It's going to be a heavy lift. And I'll just say this. Just follow the money." What's next Washburn's bill must clear the House before Crossover Day on March 6 to advance further. If successful, it will then need to pass in the Senate and be signed by the governor to become law. Despite having over 100 co-signers, which is sufficient for passage in the House, the bill faces significant opposition and a competing reform bill in the Senate. The Source State Rep. Dale Washburn is advocating for a ban through House Bill 225, while Senator Max Burns has proposed Senate Bill 75 to reform the system. The debate includes perspectives from local officials, such as Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett, and financial influences from camera companies, as highlighted by campaign finance records.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate Republican promotes ‘education freedom' with $125M voucher program for private schools
Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Senate Republicans have revived an attempt to enrich private schools and the families they serve through a $125 million voucher program. Private schools from around the state delivered their students en masse Tuesday to demonstrate support for Senate Bill 75, which is similar to legislation considered in past sessions. Republican leaders, bolstered by enlarged supermajorities, have promised to pass a voucher program this year. Supporters of the bill promote it as a 'school choice' initiative, even though the money would flow to families whose children are already enrolled in private schools, there are no private school options for large swaths of the state, and the credits may not be enough for low-income families to afford private school tuitions that exceed $20,000 annually in some places. The students who were bused to Wednesday's rally on the south steps of the Statehouse carried signs that read 'let me learn,' 'put kids first,' 'parents know best' and 'choice means hope.' Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, told the students 'education freedom is the key to education,' and she promised to 'get it done' this year. She said it was time for the state 'to truly value the diversity and learning styles and individuals for every single student in Kansas.' Erickson sponsored SB 75, which would give parents an $8,000 tax credit for each child enrolled in an accredited private school. Parents who homeschool their children — which is classified as a nonaccredited private school — would receive $4,000 per child. They could claim the credits in advance or when they file their tax returns. Any student who is enrolled in a public school for any period of time would be ineligible to receive a tax credit that year. Students who receive a low-income student scholarship would be excluded from the tax credits. The legislation is capped at $125 million for the first year, but would increase by 25% each year, as long as tax credits reach 90% of the cap. Kansas State Department of Education data shows there are currently 26,000 students enrolled in private schools, which means the annual cost for the voucher program could exceed $200 million by the fourth year. Private school officials and students spoke in favor of unlocking funding that would support faith-based learning. Opponents questioned the merits of using tax dollars to promote religious ideology. Emily Aragon, a 15-year-old student at Maranatha Christian Academy in Shawnee, said she valued the unconditional support and guidance she receives at her school, which she has attended since fourth grade. She said she was was previously homeschooled. Aragon said she has learned through her private school teachings 'that no dream or goal is too big when it is fueled by dedication and passion.' 'I passionately believe that all Kansans should have access to an education that not only prepares them for their future, but also empowers them to make a positive, lasting impact on our society,' Aragon said. John Walker, superintendent of Central Christian School in Hutchinson, said it was his 'fundamental belief' that 'parents have the sovereign rights over their children.' He said it would become clear decades from now that proponents of 'school choice' were on the right side of history. 'We do lots of things that the public school does,' Walker said. 'We teach from a different world view, and that's what parents want to sign up for.' Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Senate President Ty Masterson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Senate President Ty Masterson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Pastor Wade Moore, of Urban Prep Academies in Wichita, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Sen. Renee Erickson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Senate President Ty Masterson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Pastor Wade Moore, of Urban Prep Academies in Wichita, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Pastor Wade Moore, of Urban Prep Academies in Wichita, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Sen. Renee Erickson, who sponsored legislation to funnel public cash into private schools, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Bart Kooiman, who identified himself as a U.S. citizen, Kansas resident and small business owner, drew a correlation in his written testimony between 'school choice' and the option to terminate a pregnancy in Kansas. The state's perspective on 'choice,' he said, 'is upside down in the worst ways.' He pointed to the volume of abortions performed in Kansas for out-of-state residents. 'What does that say about the priorities of our state?' Kooiman said. 'Is that what you want our state to be known for? In Kansas, parents can freely choose to end the life of their unborn child, but they cannot choose which school their child attends.' Speaking in opposition to the bill, Laurel Burchfield, advocacy director for the Mainstream Coalition, said it would be wrong to divert taxes away from public services to pay for religious teachings. She said Christian school textbooks have been shamed for the way they teach about science in history. They describe the Loch Ness Monster as a real example of a modern day dinosaur that proves creationism, or characterize slavery as a former of immigration for Black people to leave Africa, she offered as examples. 'This bill essentially is making me now donate or tithe to churches to which I do not belong,' Burchfield said. 'It also promotes a very specific view of the world that can be based in narrow extremist religious teachings that don't represent the beliefs of many people of faith.' Lynn Rogers, a banker and former state senator, lieutenant governor and state treasurer, predicted the voucher program would 'devastate rural communities.' If a small school lost 5-10 students, he said, the school could close. He testified on behalf of Kansas Interfaith Action Group. 'You lose a school, you lose a post office, you lose a co-op, you lose the entire community,' Rogers said. 'I've seen it happen many times.' Because families would be eligible no matter their income, he said, a family with two students in private school and annual earnings of $300,000 would not pay any state taxes after receiving the credits. 'That's going to blow a real hole in your budget,' Rogers said.
