Senate panels vote for repeal of traffic cameras
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Three state Senate committees voted yesterday to shut down the unpopular traffic camera program, even though transportation officials warned the move could cost taxpayers more than $1 million.
The proposal to repeal the program now moves to the Senate Ways and Means Committee and faces several more hurdles in the state House and Senate. Gov. Ben Cayetano, a supporter of the cameras, said yesterday he will try to persuade House members to fix the program, rather than repeal it.
Yesterday's votes in the Judiciary, Transportation and Tourism committees followed several last-ditch attempts to save the program.
Camera backers said their proposed amendments, including a moratorium on all tickets until July 2003 and a ban on tickets unless the driver was going at least 10 mph over the speed limit, would have given lawmakers and state officials breathing room to correct problems with the program.
Repeal supporter Sen. Colleen Hanabusa said they were "grasping at straws."
Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Wai'alae, Hawai'i Kai), said the introduction of the amendments without any notice or prior discussion was an attempt to "obfuscate and confuse."
The amendments were voted down in the Judiciary and Tourism committees before the repeal bill was passed by all three committees.
Senators voting for repeal were not swayed by arguments from state Transportation Department Director Brian Minaai, who said aborting the program this soon could cost the state more than $1 million. Even a moratorium could cost the state $100,000 to $200,000 a month, he said.
The company operating the vans — ACS, State and Local Solutions — would have the right to claim setup expenses, salaries, travel costs, equipment expenditures and other costs, Minaai said. A company spokesman declined to say whether it would seek additional damages for lost income if the repeal goes through.
Senators questioned Minaai's $1 million figure and debated whether the cost should be a factor in the decision making.
"To repeal today is throwing away millions of dollars that the state could use in a lot of other ways," said Judiciary Chairman Brian Kanno, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Makakilo, Kapolei).
"Better to repeal now," countered Sen. Jonathan Chun, D-7th (S. Kaua'i, Ni'ihau). "If we have to repay the money, hey, that's it. If we made a mistake, let's face up to it."
"No amount of money is worth throwing out the civil liberties of the public," added Sen. J. Kalani English, D-5th (Kahului, Upcountry Maui).
Even supporters of the repeal acknowledged that the camera debate is far from over.
"This bill doesn't decide anything," said Hanabusa, D-21st (Barbers Point-Makaha). "Let it be heard at the next stage. We'll all figure it out as the process moves forward."
Minaai said later that he was disappointed by the decision to repeal the program.
"We think we've come a long way in addressing the concerns of the community and lawmakers," he said. "We think it's still beneficial. And we hope (the lawmakers) will see the true benefits" during further discussions in the Legislature.
Maury Hannigan, an ACS vice president, said drivers were responding to the program. In just over a month, the percentage of cars passing the van that were speeding dropped from 30 percent to 5 percent, he said.
"I'm not surprised by today's action," Hannigan said. "I think it was based on emotion and misinformation. I'm here to say this is a public safety program, and it's working."
The bill approved yesterday (SB2077) would effectively repeal all previous legislation authorizing the use of privately operated laser and camera systems to catch speeders on state roads. It also would block the use of cameras to catch red-light violators at intersections throughout the state.
Minaai said the first cameras at intersections could be operating by the end of this month.
The bill would not affect any tickets issued or penalties incurred before it becomes law.
Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
