The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
The need for state approval of red-light camera locations would be a thing of the past under a legislative package supported by Gov. Bob McDonnell to eliminate what he considers "burdensome state mandates on localities."
Any new red-light camera rules would have a direct impact on Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Newport News, which already have approval from the state highway department to use the devices at certain intersections, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Removing a layer of oversight would give localities a "little bit more latitude to make our own decisions without having to go to Richmond each time," said Bob Dyer, a Virginia Beach city councilman. Dyer was a member of the task force appointed by the governor to study reducing state mandates.
Dyer said he isn't aware of current plans to add more red-light cameras in Virginia Beach.
Acting on the task force's recommendations, the governor on Monday also proposed giving local governments more time to respond to open records requests and to free them from publishing bid solicitations in local newspapers.
Officials said they are still assessing what savings, or possible job losses, the recommendations might produce in various localities.
What's evident, McDonnell said, "is if you don't have to have the staff to do it, if you don't have to spend the money to procure a service, when you don't have to file a report, we know it's going to save money."
"It's just with 132 jurisdictions we just haven't come up with that," he said. "But we know it's good government; it's the right thing to do."
According to McDonnell's staff, the time to respond to records requests under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act could go from five working days to seven days. That recommendation is meant to save time spent on seeking extensions allowed under state law because many localities aren't meeting the current statutory deadlines, explained task force member Pat Herrity, who serves on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
"It certainly was not an effort to impair transparency," Herrity added.
However, the proposal doesn't sit well with Megan Rhyne of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, who said the state Freedom of Information Advisory Council needs to analyze the proposed change.
"In concept, we would be opposed to changing the law without further study," said Rhyne, the coalition's executive director.
McDonnell's proposal also would allow school divisions to set their own calendars so they can start the year before Labor Day, and remove the ability of Circuit Courts to mandate that localities build new courthouses.
Court officials in Norfolk and Portsmouth in recent years pushed for new facilities that are now under construction.
Julian Walker, 804-697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Hats off to the Gov.
This is a good idea! If you don't run the light, you have no issue! I see people all the time run red lights while on their phone or texting. I wish the cameras could get those guys too!!!!!!!!
The State should Mandate that the yellow Light is atleast 8 secs
in duration in order for a red light camera to be used. Following the law can be quite impossible if the duration of the yellow is shortened. And some locality's traffic engineering guys have been known to shorten the duration of the yellow such that instead of 8 secs before turning red, the duration is 5 seconds. Guess what? When the length of the yellow light is shortened more people will violate the red and break the law. So just remember following the law isn't always possible if the system is set to trap you. BTW some jurisdictions with red light cameras in other states have shortened the yellow duration to 3 and 4 seconds in order to make more revenue from violations.
Less Government
As a liberal, I am impressed with this republican Governor and his supporter who talk states rights and less government, but are supporting more government and state big brother. We are needing budget cuts, but support more spending. Just get rid of the police and get a camera. We really need that hotel near the civic center, and just how much did we spend on the over priced town center.
What?
As a liberal you are showing how liberals do not use facts when they are confronted with an arguement, but throw up a giant wall of statements(falsehoods)which have little, if anything, to do with the subject. The Gov wants to minimize the buracracy confronting localities in trying to protect their citizens. In this case from those talking /texting /eating /whatever that cannot be bothered to wait for an entire light cycle before continuing their trip. It has nothing to do with larger government or more spending.
Guilty!
Unless you can prove your innocence.
We got a speeding ticket from DC last year. Automatic speed trap takes a pic of your car and licence plate and you get a ticket in the mail. Very nice, except it wasn't our car! We got it staightened out after some phone calls and sent a letter with our own pictures of the car and licence plates. I have a problem with having to prove my innocence! It's not supposed to be that way in this country.
Micky D's big eye is on you
Want in one hand, dirt in the other and see which one fills up the fastest.
Micky D is on a roll with all of his wants, all of which give the state/Gov more control over what it is you are doing in your private life.
The citizens of this country have become accustom to the free handouts (payoffs), and they have become such nosey busy bodies that they actually vote their own freedom away (example: a law that makes wearing p.j.'s outside of your home illegal - what is it of anyone elses business if you wear your p.j's outside? It is a fashion no, but it isn't illegal).
Does anyone know what happens when you feed (handouts/payoffs) the wildlife? They become dependent, and are considered a nuisance.
Welcome to the new America.
Your Not Supposed To Notice
Your not supposed to notice the good republican govenor , (that ran on less government), is increasing gov/intrusion.
Say What?
Your not supposed to? Is that anything like "you're not supposed to"?
I think
That state oversight on the cameras is needed due to the fact that the way it is set up, you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. It opens the doors for localities to run rampant with these things.
Again I say WHAT?
The State has NO control over what happens if your vehicle is tagged by a red light camera. All the State was doing was adding an extra signature to get the cameras installed in locality, that had already decided it needed them.