Tim Eyman just sent our mayor and council members a question via email. In his email he explains that his latest initiative I-985 will, in-part, redirect any excess revenues from red-light cameras out of local cities accounts and into a state-wide “anti-congestion” fund, and then he asks “what is your city’s plan should voters approve I-985?”

I can’t speak for the rest of the council members or the mayor on this, and we do not meet again for two more weeks, but I know that this initiative would not change my position on red-light cameras. These cameras were not installed to raise money. They were installed to promote safety. While the speed cameras still have signage issues we are working to resolve, and both speed and red-light cameras may always seem Orwellian to some people (even though they do not capture the drivers identities), it’s not the money that led to the decision to install these cameras in Renton. It’s safety.

Currently, any revenues from the red-light and speed cameras in Renton are directed to Renton Police overtime to reduce speeding in neighborhoods.

So, Tim Eyman’s question is really one more for the voters. Do you want Renton traffic fines that are currently dedicated to traffic safety in Renton neighborhoods to instead be sent to Olympia and targeted for state-wide traffic congestion.

If so, I don’t have a problem with that. But Just like Tim Eyman, I don’t have a lot of faith in Olympia lately. Additionally, I think statewide congestion relief should be paid for with state-wide funds, not with funds coming disproportionately from Renton drivers. So I will personally cast my vote to keep any Red-light funds here in Renton for neighborhood safety.

See his email by clicking here