AZ LD-6 House Representative Sam Crump decides Arizona's Photo Radar Cameras OKAY until 2010 PRIMARY election is OVER

Representative Sam Crump R-Anthem looked bored and drowsy sitting in the gallery as he waited about 90 minutes to bring HB 2106 before the House Appropriations Committee late yesterday afternoon. He was last on the dance card agenda but first in the hearts of the East Valley GOP patriots on the committee.

Crump is the original sponsor of the media-lovin’ HB 2106 that would ban the State photo enforcement cameras; however, Crump has allowed his namesake bill to be taken on a magic carpet ride by two different STRIKE EVERYTHING amendments in the last 10 days. The latest SE amendment to HB 2106 was written and sponsored late Monday afternoon by the House Appropriations Committee Vice-Chairman, Andy Biggs R-Gilbert. After much debate, the bill (as amended) passed 6-4 and will be sent on to the Rules Committee.

The winning SE forces the State to ride out its current contract with Redflex, which is due to expire September 30, 2010 – thereby avoiding any litigation with Redflex and million$ in early termination fees. It also would immediately disallow ANY use of the secretive streaming video that none of the legislators knew about until last month – despite the fact that Redflex’s own website describes this complementary video perk that comes with their high-tech enforcement cameras. [ Fact check please - legislators. Try the web sometime. The vacuum tubes are wonderful this time of year. ]

The new September 30, 2010 date also allows the current GOP Kill the Cameras Cheer Squad to safely sail through the 2010 primary election season without jeopardizing the benefits many incumbents enjoy…..namely re-election. After all, the general public has been surprisingly tolerant and thankful for many of the metro area speed cameras – despite the obvious loss of liberties and freedom. The public outrage over Big Brother hasn’t quite panned out as many Republican lawmakers had hoped. But, to a career GOP legislator, once you’re on the general ballot in Arizona, you’re golden….right?

One guy who wasn’t so golden yesterday was Andy Biggs. Biggs vehemently defended his new STRIKER during the Approps meeting, even going so far as to polish up his cross-examination techniques and oratories on Mike Williams, the lobbyist for the Associated Highway Patrolmen of Arizona. Biggs is listed as an “inactive” attorney with the State Bar of Arizona but obviously misses the courtroom so much, he decided to get his “Judge Judy” on (again)….during yesterday’s meeting. He was embarrassingly RUDE and out of order.

Biggs argued for 20 minutes with Williams about whether certain traffic statistics numbers Williams cited were in fact statistics from a faulty study, a faulty report or just random data floating around in outer space - without proper controls to measure outcomes. Committee Chairman, John Kavanaugh R-Fountain Hills, jumped in to ramble on and on about statistical analysis phrases and definitions he remembers from a college textbook – as if he were the only guy ever to have to take those classes to get a degree. Too funny John.

Lobbyist Mike Williams eventually came through with the visualization of the day – saying that if someone in an orange truck kidnapped one of his children & an Amber Alert was issued…..he’d expect DPS to use the various videos to look for that orange truck ASAP. What Dad couldn’t agree with that? The Republican dads on the House Appropriations Committee – that’s who. They balked at every possible safety benefit to local citizens, as described by DPS officers and supporters of the cameras.

But….we’ve saved the best for last. Only in the wild frontier North of Bell Road and West of Cave Creek Road do things like this occur…….

In late 2008, REDFLEX moved their US corporate headquarters from Scottsdale to brand new digs in Deer Valley – the Pinnacle Peak Commerce Center on 23^rd Ave. and Pinnacle Peak Rd. Sam Crump is the House REPUBLICAN Representative for Legislative District 6, which includes far North Phoenix, Anthem and….. Deer Valley’s Pinnacle Peak Commerce Center.

So much for creation of local jobs, support for local businesses and striving for prosperity in YOUR OWN DISTRICT, huh Sam? Have you ever stopped by on your way home and actually had a meeting with the executives and employees of this company? I mean, I understand that Deer Valley is the proud owner of Deer Valley Airport - having the most daily takeoffs and landings in America, Bliss Showclub (formerly known as USA Cabaret), The CASTLE (sex toys and DVD’s) and Carl Seel (R-LD6) but you can’t find any love for REDFLEX ???