JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A state senator wants Missouri schools to benefit from the fines levied on motorists caught on camera running red lights.
Republican Will Kraus, of Lee's Summit, is sponsoring legislation that would direct the fines from traffic enforcement cameras to local school districts instead of city coffers.
The Missouri Municipal League is opposing the legislation. It says the cameras make roads safer and free up police to pursue other crimes.
Kraus says that if the cameras are truly about safety, then cities shouldn't be concerned about not keeping the money. Some other senators suggested during a committee hearing this week that cities should at least be allowed to keep enough money to pay for their contracts with camera vendors.