Florida's Backdoor Tax Increases

Sen. Jeff Brandes filed SB 144 to repeal Florida’s red light traffic laws.

“We have had red light cameras in Florida for over three years. They were initially sold as safety devices, but I have come to firmly believe that they are now being used as backdoor tax increases,” stated Brandes. “We have seen municipalities that have installed these devices shorten yellow light times and set arbitrary standards on right turn on red violations. I believe cities will continue to install these devices if left unchecked.”

Earlier this year, WTSP Channel 10 reporter Noah Pransky reported that the state had quietly reduced the minimum number of seconds for yellow light intervals — specifically for those that were equipped with red light cameras. The result? Citation rates spiked by almost 40 percent in municipalities that have the cameras......more>

Apopka Man Arrested For Protesting Red Light Cameras

66-year-old Mark Schmidter was on the corner handing out fliers to motorists stopped at red lights. The fliers had a petition and a message about a city council meeting, where citizens could voice their concerns about red light cameras. Schmidter was approached by a police officer. He told the officer he didn't have a permit for the protest, and when asked for identification, responded that as he wasn't driving, he had no need for ID. When he continued to (peacefully) resist the officer's requests for identification or information about who he was, the officer cuffed him and made an arrest. Schmidter's argument about the cameras was that,
Red light cameras are all about money - not safety......more

Give refunds to drivers wrongly ticketed by red light cameras

Wengay Newton wants St. Petersburg to start refunding fines to drivers incorrectly ticketed by red light cameras installed since the fall of 2011.

“This was not a thing about safety,” Newton told 10 News. “This was all about revenue”

here

 

Get The Facts on Red Light Cameras

here

Hit pause button on red-light cameras

"It's time to hit the pause button on red-light cameras. They have become a bureaucratic nightmare for the state's clerks of courts who process the citations. Drivers cited for running red lights are caught in a maze of paperwork, vaguely worded regulations and an unfair system of fines.

And the cameras are more about raising money for local governments

than reducing accidents.".....Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court Ken Burke.

here

Cameras in Tampa Bay

Red-Light Cameras Increase Crashes And Costs, USF Report Finds

Rather than improving motorist safety, red-light cameras significantly increase crashes and are a ticket to higher auto insurance premiums, researchers at the University of South Florida College of Public Health conclude.......here

Friends Of The Florida GOP

Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee

Florida Blue-Blue Cross Blue Shield

American Traffic Solutions Inc.
 the state's main red light camera vendors. 
A bill to ban red light cameras was defeated during the session.

Duke Energy

Disney Worldwide Services 

JM Family Enterprises

Humana Inc. 

MCNA Health Care Holdings, LLC.

The Republican Party of Pennsylvania?

here

New Hillsborough County Surveillance

Red Light Cameras
Fletcher And Bruce B. Downs - Sligh And Habana - Brandon Blvd. And Grand Regency - Bloomingdale And Bell Shoal - Waters And Dale Mabry - Waters And Anderson - Gunn And Turner - Gunn And Sheldon
Intersections That Should Be Avoided!

Red Light Cameras: Accidents Increase 133% In Temple Terrace

Tarpon Springs Puts The Brakes On Red Light Cameras

Florida local governments are trying to find new revenues as tax collections decline, but hopefully Tarpon Springs is not so desperate for cash that it will install red light cameras and issue expensive tickets to residents and visitors just to shore up the city budget.......here

"There are cities making $15,000 a week off those things."......Mayor Beverley Billiris

Amsterdam's Window Prostitutes $66.58

Visitors flood red-light district

Amsterdam's sex workers came to work early on Saturday to offer a free look at the city's famed red-light district. The district -- a warren of narrow alleys and canals lined with sex shops, brothels and neon signs - - is as big an attraction as Amsterdam's art museums and coffee shops, where marijuana is freely smoked and sold......more....What A Country!

Pot raid nets multiple arrests in Tampa

More Big Brother At Florida Intersections

A Florida state representative and a citizens association are backing a state bill to install cameras at red light intersections. Melissa Wandall, a Bradenton woman whose husband was killed by a red light runner in 2003, is spearheading the citizens' effort.......more

Red Light Cameras: Accidents Increase 133% In Temple Terrace

It’s no surprise to those of us at CameraFraud, but councilman Halloway of Temple Terrace, was shocked on Friday to hear that accidents INCREASED at red light camera intersections........here

Hillsborough County's Red Light Scam Starts At Midnight

Starting at midnight tonight, drivers caught on camera running red lights at six Hillsborough County intersections will get $125 citations.
here

Florida: Lawsuits Challenge Red Light Camera Legality

Florida attorney Jack L. Townsend, Sr joined with the firm Edwards and Ragatz on July 30 in filing a class action lawsuit against
The City Of Temple Terrace
for allowing American Traffic Solutions (ATS) to operate a traffic camera program designed to generate $3 million in annual revenue primarily from vehicles turning right on red lights........here

Temple Terrace, Florida Revenue Stream

Mickey Rourke Arrested In Miami Beach

A Scooter-Riding Mickey Rourke

Was arrested Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence. A Miami Beach Police report said Rourke made a U-turn with a red light and then swerved several times while on a green scooter. He had a flushed face and bloodshot, watery eyes, his speech was slurred, and he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.......here

Big Brother In Tampa

Tampa City Council Approves Red Light Cameras

Harry Cohan, Mary Mulhern, Lisa Montelione and Mike Suarez supported installing the cameras. Voting no were council members Yvonne Yolie Capin and Frank Reddick, and council Chairman Charlie Miranda.
here
Please tell me why i supported Ms. Montelione and continue to support Mary Mulhern.

More Cameras At Florida Intersections

The cameras are coming to the area beginning this month, and they'll almost certainly become more widespread if Florida legislators smooth the way by changing a state law this spring. This is plunging the state into a long-running nationwide debate: Are these devices just a bunch of cities' moneymaking schemes, a Big Brother-ish invasion of privacy? Or are they a way to restore sanity to intersections by fighting what officials call an "epidemic" of red-light running?......here

Dianne Barrette Of Winter Haven Lies About Obamacare

By now everyone has heard Dianne Barrette’s sob story about how Obama “lied” to her when he said that she could keep her health insurance plan if that was what she wanted. Barrette has been making the rounds since the CBS report, The plan that she has is hardly an insurance plan at all, which costs her $648 per year As Van Susteren of FOX, yes FOX points out "this is a “bare bones” policy (junk health insurance) and even suggests that there might be better options available to her, saying, “If you’re walking across the street and someone runs a red light, you’re in deep trouble under your existing policy.” Barrette may be eligible for a subsidy under the ACA, Susteren asked if she has looked into any other possibilities for insurance,  Barrette admits that she had received emails with other options, but that she has not yet looked into them........more and here

Culture Of Corruption: Florida Republicans

$51 Billion Failure
State lawmakers refused to accept $51 billion in federal money to provide health care to 1 million uninsured Floridians, and that leaves a permanent stain on the 2013 Florida Legislature.
here

Other Highlights

DEATH PENALTY (FAILED): Repeals Florida's death penalty for capital cases. (HB 4005)

DEATH PENALTY (PASSED): Limits the legal arguments used by inmates sentenced to death and awaiting execution in an effort to accelerate the death penalty process. (HB 7083)

RED LIGHT CAMERAS (FAILED): Reduces fines and gives people more time to pay them. (SB 1342)

WETLANDS (PASSED): Modifies a series of wetlands-related rules and ratifies the governor and Cabinet's approval of 30-year leases of public lands in the Everglades to sugar companies. (HB 999)

SPRINGS (FAILED): Requires water management district to identify certain springs for protection.

CELLPHONE PRIVACY (FAILED): Requires police to obtain a search warrant before seizing a personal electronic device during an arrest. (SB 846/HB 797)

FRACKING (FAILED): Companies must disclose what chemicals they use when they explore for oil and gas using an extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. (HB 743)

GUN CONTROL (FAILED): Mandates that only licensed dealers can sell guns at gun shows.
 DOCS VS. GLOCKS (FAILED): Repeals the 2011 "docs vs. glocks" law that banned doctors from asking patients about guns. (SB 314/HB 4017)

STAND YOUR GROUND (FAILED): Repeals controversial Stand Your Ground law, which provides immunity to people who use deadly force in self-defense. (SB 622/HB 4009)

STAND YOUR GROUND (FAILED): Limits Stand Your Ground law, clarifying that does not apply when innocent bystanders are hurt or killed. (SB 362/HB 123)

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS (FAILED): Sets up a domestic registry; allows basic rights primarily related to health care, visitation and property for unmarried couples. (SB 196/HB 259)

SICK LEAVE (PASSED): Bans local governments from requiring employers to provide sick-leave benefits for their workers. Does not affect "living wage" ordinances. (SB 726/HB 655)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA (FAILED): Legalizes use of marijuana for medical reasons. (SB 1250/HB 1139)

IMMIGRANT TUITION (FAILED): Extends in-state tuition to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants. (SB 180/HB 7051)

WELFARE BENEFITS (PASSED): Prevents people from using welfare benefits at certain "adult entertainment" establishments, casinos or in a liquor store. (SB 1048/HB 701) Gun stores ok.
more
John Romano's quick review of their 2013 performance.
here
Daniel Lemon, of Seminole said it best in his letter to The Times:

For results, eject party in power

This editorial asks, Why don't lawmakers care? That question is answered on the front page of Perspective. They care for the show and the dough. They do not care for the citizens and voters of Florida. It would be interesting to find out if the people mentioned in the editorial vote, and if so, for which party.The solution to the problems with state government is very simple. For several decades state government has been controlled by the Republican Party, and the quality of life for the average Floridian has deteriorated. We have historical experience to know the results of Republican control of state government. If we want change, we must vote to remove control from the Republicans. As long as our state government is bought and paid for by special interests, lobbyists and big business, then we will continue to ask pointless questions and receive illogical answers.
here

DR. FARID KHAVARI for Miami-Dade County Mayor 2016

No time for “politics as usual” when we face life-threatening problems.​

We have had too many years of corrupt crony politics and stupid, wealth-transferring projects in Miami-Dade County.  Meanwhile, long-term problems were ignored, and now are growing into life-threatening emergencies.
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Saltwater is rushing into our aquifer. Instead of fixing that, Mayor Gimenez wants to sell our water system so a private company like FPL can suck money out of us forever!

If we don’t get real plans and new leadership in Miami-Dade County, we should flee South Florida while we still can!
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What will our homes be worth when there’s saltwater coming out of our faucets? When the ocean is in our streets? When there’s Fukushima event at the Turkey Point nuclear plant? And sewage all over the place? 

What good will new stadiums and fancy condos and nice slogans do us then?
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Every day the people are gouged by tolls, red light cameras, even pet fees, to fund stupid projects that make a few people richer at our expense.  Every day more saltwater flows into our aquifer. 

People struggle to make a living, and now we face more FP&L rate hikes? Next we’ll be paying FPL for two new nuclear plants, even though they have problems cooling Turkey Point and are even taking water from the Everglades!
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The good news is that solving these problems is the biggest economic opportunity in the history of Miami-Dade County!
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But politics as usual won’t get the job done. 

Visit him here. He is running a grassroots campaign, help him out here

Only one candidate for Miami-Dade Mayor has solutions: Farid Khavari. 

When Something Isn't Working - Try Something Else

Fla GOP's breath-taking hubris and entitlement hardly limited to Jim Greer

The whole sorry story of the Florida Republican Party under Jim Greer is exhibit A on how near-absolute power, combined with astronomical campaign accounts, can and did breed breathtaking arrogance and entitlement, if not outright corruption, among party leaders professing conservatism.

here

Traffic tickets, fraud probes deaths — and state Rep. Daphne Campbell

She’s a Democratic state representative who has another way to deal with future red-light tickets: file legislation to ban the traffic-surveillance cameras that shot video of her husband’s Honda Odyssey breaking traffic laws.
here
Stogie likes this party. Florida Greens