HOUSTON – The manufacturer of Houston’s controversial red-light cameras is funding virtually the entire campaign to convince voters to keep them.
The political action committee Keep Houston Safe has begun to run television and radio ads supporting the November ballot referendum, Proposition 3.
Campaign finance records show the PAC raised $245,000 by Oct 5. Ninety-two percent of that money came from one donor: American Traffic Solutions.
The Arizona-based company manufactures Houston’s 70 red-light cameras.
"ATS is just one of a handful of companies that run a reliable red-light camera program,” said Professor Bob Stein, 11 News’ political analyst. “They're not only protecting their business here in Houston, but they're protecting their business all over the world."
Stein said several other cities across the country have banned red-light cameras in similar referendums – and the company is likely trying to stop the trend.
Still, the cameras’ supporters argue this referendum is about more than money.
"We're picking up steam every day," said Jim McGrath, a spokesman for Keep Houston Safe. "We hope people take notice of the ad. We deliberately put first responders up there. We want people to know that police and fire support red-light cameras and voting for Prop 3 because it saves lives."
Meanwhile, red-light camera opponents aren't broke, but they're clearly facing an uphill financial battle. Attorney Paul Kubosh is funding almost the entire opposition on his own.
"I'm going to a gun fight with a knife,” Kubosh said. “But by golly, I've got 'em bleeding."
Campaign finance records show his PAC, Citizens Against Red Light Cameras, has raised almost $108,000 -- less than half as much as the other side.
"I expect them to outspend me 20 to 1," Kubosh said.
Voters will decide if it all pays off on Nov. 2.
