By a narrow 3-2 vote, the Arizona Senate Transportation Committee voted yesterday to deny residents a say in whether or not freeways statewide will be monitored by photo enforcement. Senator Ron Gould (R-Lake Havasu City), the committee's chairman, introduced a simple resolution that would put the question to voters on the 2008 ballot.

Although supporters of the automated ticketing technology frequently cite polls that claim widespread endorsement for speed cameras, the devices have never succeeded in a referendum. Last year, 76 percent of voters in an Ohio city rejected speed cameras. Between 1991 and 1997, voters turned out in Batavia, Illinois; Peoria, Arizona and Anchorage, Alaska to reject photo radar.

Governor Janet Napolitano (D) openly opposed the idea of asking for the support of voters. The governor has been planning a statewide speed camera system that could generate hundreds of millions in revenue for the state, an Australian camera vendor, and insurance companies that impose surcharges on photo ticket recipients.

Gould may attempt to reintroduce his measure.

Article Excerpt:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT
SENATE AMENDMENTS TO S.C.R. 1027

Strike everything after the resolving clause and insert:

"1. Under the power of referendum, as vested in the Legislature, the following measure, relating to a state photo enforcement system, is enacted to become valid as a law if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:

AN ACT

AMENDING TITLE 28, CHAPTER 3, ARTICLE 6, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 28-711; RELATING TO A STATE PHOTO ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 28, chapter 3, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 28-711, to read;

Photo enforcement system; highways

This state may use a photo enforcement system on the highways in this state to detect violators of this article.

2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona."

Amend title to conform