You’ve heard the mantra from Republicans for many years, that local control of public policy provides the best form of government.

Texas Republicans say it all the time. I’ve heard ‘em say it. Many times. Keep “big gub’mint” out of people’s lives, they say.

And yet …

When it comes to red-light cameras, Texas legislators – again, led by Republicans who dominate the Legislature – keep trotting this notion out that the state ought to outlaw cities’ right to deploy red-light cameras to help the police stop lawbreakers from endangering themselves and, more importantly, other motorists and/or pedestrians.

My good buddy Enrique Rangel, writing for the Amarillo Globe-News, details in a story published Monday some of the ideas that the Legislature might consider when it convenes in January. One of those bright notions is a law banning red-light cameras statewide.

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-11-11/pre-filing-period-opens-daunting-issues-loom

What’s wrong with these people? Do they believe in local control or don’t they?

Amarillo installed red-light cameras at several intersections around the about five years ago. They have been nabbing law-breakers by taking pictures of vehicle license plates as they run through red lights. The city sends a citation to the owner of the vehicle and orders him/her to pay the fine … or else. What’s the drawback? Well, the registered vehicle owner might not be the one breaking the law; it might be a relative or a friend behind the wheel. Still, if that’s the case, then the driver of the vehicle, if not its owner, and the owner need to figure out a way to get the pay fine paid.

The money collected goes to several places: the vendor who leases the cameras to the city, the state and, most importantly, to the city, which must, under state law, use the money for traffic safety improvements. You know, it’s frivolous stuff, like hiring more patrol officers and improving traffic signalization.

Several cities have instituted the camera-aided enforcement because their leaders have determined they have a specific need. Amarillo made that determination and acted. The state, which once banned cities from taking this action, now just might consider taking it all back.

I ask once more: Are legislators, particularly those who oppose Big Brother intruding into communities’ well-being, going to let cities and towns act in their own best interests, or are they going to let paternalistic impulses strip communities of local control everyone – especially Republicans who run things in Austin – insist on protecting?

Well?