John Hallman, Liberty First Network, explained in a statement this week that a bill repealing red light cameras might gain more headway in the next Legislative session as incoming senators and potentially incoming senators strongly support repealing the usage of red light cameras.
He explained that the repeal bill passed the last Legislative session easily, but was blocked in the Senate. With potential incoming Senators many of which are former Representatives who supported repeal, Hallman says that there is a good chance the bill could pass the Senate as well in the 2017 session.
He cited the incoming Senate President, Joe Negron of District 28 who has always supported repeal. Senator Brandes of District 24 is back for another term and will continue to fight to repeal the cameras and will sponsor the bill in the 2017 session.
House members who have supported the repeal bill, now running for Senate include Debbie Mayfield (District 17), Greg Steube (District 23), Frank Artiles (who has sponsored the house bill in the past)(District 40), Dana Young (District 18) and Darryl Rousan (District 19). These candidates won their primaries have a good chance of winning in November.
Keith Perry who supports repeal is facing a tough fight in District 8.
Former House members Dennis Baxley (District 12), Kathleen Passidomo (District 28) and Daphne Campbell (District 38) all won their primaries and do not have general election opponents. Baxley, Passidomo and Campbell have supported the repeal.
The incoming Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran who will serve for two years is committed to repealing the cameras. Hallman, of Liberty First Network, does not foresee any problems getting the bill passed in the House in the 2017 session.
Despite the stronger position the bill may have in the Senate, Hallman still considers lobbyists and local agency bureaucratic influence venerable foes.
Meanwhile, the City of Brooksville is awaiting the end of their red-light camera program later this month. The city’s contract with Sensys, the red light camera company, has an expiration date of October 31, 2016.
The Liberty First Network is a pending 501(c)(4) Florida non-profit organization.