Odds Improve For Extension Of Philadelphia Red Light Camera Program
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Prospects have improved for an extension of Philadelphia's red light camera program, currently set to expire June 30th. But lawmakers are now proposing to change the way revenues from the program are handed out.
The state House has approved an amendment that would extend Philadelphia's red light camera program for several years. But the bill containing the amendment has not yet gotten a final vote, and the House is still unwilling to go along with an expansion of the program to other cities favored by Chester Republican Dominic Pileggi, the Senate majority leader.
Earlier, Pileggi spokesman Erik Arneson had said the Senate might not approve an extension for Philadelphia without the expansion, but he now says the Senate may go along after all.
"I can't say it's likely today, but it's clearly more likely now than it was a month or two ago."
But in order to secure votes in the House for extending Philadelphia's program, the amendment changes the current formula that gives half of the revenue from red light cameras to the city, although the city would have input on how the funds would be distributed on statewide basis.
