(Columbus, OH) Toledo may not be able to rely on revenue from traffic cameras much longer.
The Ohio House has passed a bill to move civil fines from red-light and speed cameras to municipal court from an administrative hearing-- and reduce local government funds by the same amount that cities get from such cases.
State Representative Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) believes the bill will pass muster before the Ohio Supreme Court, unlike past cases where justices sided with cities over home rule.
Seitz called the bill a matter of social justice, fairness, and due process. He has long been a critic of traffic cameras, calling them a cash cow for cities. Toledo city officials contend the cameras are used to improve traffic safety and reduce crashes.
The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate.