[Pragmaticus]

Amazing what a $140,000 political donation can get you in Florida.

Editorial: Sweetheart insurance deal hurts consumers | Tampa Bay Times

[d4g4m]

Not only can insurance companies buy politicians but red light camera companies can also. They have spent more than a million dollars lobbying in Florida while also donating more than half a million dollars to Florida politicians directly. Meanwhile, the cameras will rake in $120 million in 2013

[Occifer]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

Meanwhile, the cameras will rake in $120 million in 2013

Would you rather your taxes go up or would you rather people who violate the law be the ones who pay? Local governments in Florida took a huge hit with the fall in property tax values and have seen severe impacts to their budgets. Nobody is going to argue that red light cameras don't generate revenue, but is that revenue generation really a bad thing? If you don't want to get fined, don't run a red light. It's actually pretty simple. I'd much rather the lawbreakers be the ones to pay than those of us who follow the law.

[NowSoFlorida]

Originally Posted by Occifer

Would you rather your taxes go up or would you rather people who violate the law be the ones who pay? .

Rather have taxes go up than have red light cams. And what happens when the red light cams become declared faulty and all the money has to be returned to the people who were fined? Taxes will have to go up that much more to pay for the refunds.

[Rabflmom]

Just a question.....The hurricane Preparedness charge listed with fees on major homeowners insurance companies are charged to subsidize Citizens isn't it? So all of us have been helping to insure the homes/businesses other insurance companies have refused to insure for the state to offer Citizens. Or do I misunderstand what those charges on my insurance not related to my own property are for?

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by MeInDenudinFL

Amazing what a $140,000 political donation can get you in Florida.

Editorial: Sweetheart insurance deal hurts consumers | Tampa Bay Times

Heritage has contacted me by mail a couple of times. Other than an email address and a number for making claims, there isn't really any way to contact a representative to inquire about anything. Struck me as bizarre and underhanded, so I sent in my opt out form. Yes, you have to mail back an opt out form or you'll automatically be absorbed by them.

[d4g4m]

re: red light cameras
Give them an inch, they take a yard.
They have been caught shortening the yellow time to rake in more revenue.
If you stop at a red signal, but the tires are 1" over the white stop line, they consider you a red light runner and are mailed a violation notice.
A lot of their revenue is from right turns. If you don't stop before the white stop line, but stop at the actual intersection, you are considered a red light runner and a violation notice is sent.
90% of straight line red light violations occur 1 second or less of red signal. Add one second to the yellow time or a 'no turn at red' sign and the camera companies are out of business. But they contribute to many politicians re-election campaigns to stop those two things from happening.

[boxus]

Originally Posted by Occifer

Would you rather your taxes go up or would you rather people who violate the law be the ones who pay? Local governments in Florida took a huge hit with the fall in property tax values and have seen severe impacts to their budgets. Nobody is going to argue that red light cameras don't generate revenue, but is that revenue generation really a bad thing? If you don't want to get fined, don't run a red light. It's actually pretty simple. I'd much rather the lawbreakers be the ones to pay than those of us who follow the law.

Of the gov could learn to operate within a budget. I do not see why people all of a sudden cry about taxes need to go up all the time; how about the gov cutting expenses?

And with the property taxes what they are, I am not seeing what extras I get over the much lower property tax place I moved from.

Plus, the entire concept of taxes being pegged to property value is ridiculous.

[sware2cod]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

..
If you stop at a red signal, but the tires are 1" over the white stop line, they consider you a red light runner and are mailed a violation notice.
..

front tires or back tires?