Monday, November 02, 2009

New State Motto for Massachusetts

If it moves, tax it. If it moves too fast, ticket it.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) on Thursday outlined his plan to reduce the state's $600 million deficit and help struggling municipalities by, among several other revenue raising measures, installing red light cameras. The governor's proposed fiscal year 2010 budget amendments would eliminate an existing state law forcing police officers to issue traffic citations personally. Under the new legislation, any jurisdiction in the commonwealth could give private, for-profit companies the right to issue $100 traffic tickets.


They won't privatize the turnpike, but they'll hire mercs to issue speeding tickets.

Feelin' that Hopenchange yet?

Yeah, didn't think so.

Patrick's proposal would enforce payment of the automated citations by suspending the driver's license and vehicle registration of owners who fail to pay after two tickets are sent to his last known address. The suspensions remain in effect until the tickets and late penalties are paid in full, in addition to a $40 reinstatement fee that is split between the municipality and the state. The proposal also allows localities to seize or boot vehicles for non-payment.


As far as that highlighted bit is concerned, the fact that some people who moved out of Massachusetts years ago, myself included, are still getting robo-calls every day from candidates running in Boston's city elections, should worry everybody.