Pennsylvania Lawmakers Mull Red Light Cameras In The Suburbs
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - A dozen communities in the suburbs would be eligible for red light traffic cameras under an amendment expected to get a vote today in the Pennsylvania Senate. But it's still unclear whether the House will go along with an expansion of the program.
The state House and Senate have had an ongoing disagreement over the desire by Chester Republican Dominic Pileggi, the Senate majority leader, to expand the red light camera program. Previously, the Senate had passed a bill to expand the program to certain cities statewide.
Pileggi spokesman Erik Arneson says an amendment has now been drafted that will allow for an expansion only in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia's four suburban counties.
"Our objective all along was to expand what we believe is a program that improves safety at dangerous intersections to additional municipalities. And this was an alternative way of doing that."
An alternate proposal the Senate hopes will be able to get enough votes to get through the House. The expansion language is being amended into a bill that would extend Philadelphia's red light program, which expires on Saturday.
