News
Red Ink Mounts At Redflex. Embattled photo ticketing provider Redflex Traffic Systems expects it will lose $12 million from legal changes in two states. The company earlier today announced to the Australian Securities Exchange that twelve percent of the firm’s revenue stream has dried up because of increasing dissatisfaction with the concept of automated ticketing. “Existing programs in several other states, including New Jersey and Ohio, where Redflex Traffic Systems Inc currently conducts business, face actual or potential legislative action that could restrict or impair the operation of photo-enforcement,” the company told investors. TheNewspaper.com
LA: Analysis: Hospital decision good for Jindal, less for others. Gov. Bobby Jindal got only good news when the federal Medicaid agency signed off on financing plans for his LSU hospital privatization deals. But the result was more mixed for lawmakers and future governors, who learned Jindal’s deals will leave them with a lingering budget worry after he’s gone. AP via Washington Times
VA: Judge delays ruling on Express Lanes unpaid toll case until March. Defendants Toni Cooley, Jim Diller and Stuart Holmes all appeared before Circuit Court Judge Dennis J. Smith to argue that toll lane operator Transurban violated the U.S. Constitution by imposing excessive fines disproportionate to the violations of not paying a toll because of an E-ZPass problem. The case challenges a traffic court ruling in October and also claims that Transurban violated Virginia law. Smith delayed a decision in the case until a hearing on March 13. A ruling against Transurban could set a precedent, allowing motorists to cite the case in future traffic court challenges. WTOP
GA: Foster Care Privatization Put On Legislative Back Burner. Despite a strong push from state lawmakers last year, an effort to privatize parts of Georgia’s foster care has likely been tabled. . . Instead, the report suggests nearly three dozen legislative fixes to improve conditions for kids in state care. Proposals include creating a child abuse registry, improving data sharing with other state agencies and forming a statewide advisory board for the Division of Family and Children Services. The report also calls for boosting caseworker and supervisor salaries, as well as support of Gov. Nathan Deal’s plan to hire enough caseworkers to bring the average caseload down to 15. WABE 90.1 FM
ID: Caldwell board says no to custodial privatization. . .The standing room only crowd loudly applauded the board’s decision after Rosandick laid out the positives and negatives of custodial privatization and said he doesn’t think the district should go in that direction any time soon. . . . However, Rosandick said the negatives were easily apparent. Unused sick leave would disappear under a new private boss, and the custodians would no longer be state employees under the proposal. Rosandick said the loss of the state employee insurance package would be a hit for workers, and the custodians would be off of the state retirement system. New employees would also be hired on a pay scale most likely lower than the school would pay new custodians. Trustee Leif Skyving praised the public outcry from the community over the issue. He said he was impressed by how passionate the people in the district were about their school board and custodians. Idaho Press-Tribune
CA: Dennis Knepp: Public will bear risks from toll road. When Gov. Jerry Brown took office, one of his first actions was to cancel the sale of government office buildings to private supporters of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger because the sale and leaseback agreements were an unwarranted transfer of taxpayer money to private corporations. It is these same corporations, banks and attorneys that stand to gain the most if the Transportation Agency for Monterey County approves the toll road being planned to replace Highway 156. Monterey County Herald