Rep. Gerry Fox, D-Stamford, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, just ended the committee meeting without debating or voting on S.B. 706 An Act Concerning Municipal Automated Traffic Control Safety devices at Certain Intersections. If there was a heavier-lobbied bill this session, please suggest one to the Blogster. Municiaplities wanted the power to raise revenue on the backs of reckless motorists with cameras at crucial intersections. Mike Riley, president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, and Betty Gallo, lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union, were against it. “Springtime brings out strange pairs,” Riley said of his unlikely partner, Gallo. How often to they get together on the same side of a bill? “Never,” he said. “Over the last 10 years this is the only bill we’ve worked together,” Gallo said.
The issue was a very hot potato, so Fox did most lawmakers a favor and let the bill expire quietly in a meeting room. Rep. Arthur O’Neill, R-Southbury, whose GOP caucus carefully reviewed the issue before the meeting, asked whether the committee would resume its agenda after the House activities today. “I don’t believe there will be any action taken on those bills,” Fox said in the understatement of the day.