Caught on Camera: Paradise Valley Issues 100,000 Photo Radar Tickets in One Year– Is Reform Coming?

Three Photo Radar Measures Advance Toward Senate Floor, Setting Up a Battle Between Legislative Action, Voter Choice at the Ballot Box, and Governor Hobbs' Signature.

Feb 13, 2025

Arizona’s battle over photo radar continues to intensify. In a key move, the Senate Committee on Public Safety advanced a resolution that could put the fate of automated traffic enforcement directly in the hands of voters. State 48 News breaks down the hearing, where lawmakers clashed over SCR 1002, a measure with a long road ahead but growing momentum.

One of the biggest revelations? Paradise Valley - a town of less than 13,000 residents, confirmed issuing a staggering 100,000 photo radar tickets last year. (That’s nearly double amount of tickets given in 2023, according to one report.)

Break it down, Paradise Valley sends out roughly 10 photo radar tickets per resident, every year—nothing short of a cash machine.

After we posted highlights from the meeting, X erupted with public reaction, questioning how the hearing was handled.

Public Safety Committee Chair Sen. Kevin Payne (R-LD27) limited testimony to three speakers per side, each with two minutes. Standing in a packed room, resolution sponsor Sen. Wendy Rogers questioned whether more attendees should be allowed to speak, but Chair Sen. Kevin Payne stood by his limit. Despite this, opponents of the photo radar resolution got four spots, while only three advocates for voter choice were heard.

Chair Sen. Kevin Payne opened the public comment period with a warning, telling the crowd to “act responsible” after last week’s heated exchange between photo radar opponent Shawn Dow and Sen. T.J. Shope (R-LD16). Shope told State 48 News the exchange was a misunderstanding and upheld his commitment, voting to advance a measure that lets Arizona voters decide the fate of automated traffic enforcement.

Meanwhile, committee member Sen. Brian Fernandez (D-LD23) pressed public speakers with sharp questions, challenging proponents of the resolution on whether photo radar decisions should be left to individual cities rather than dictated by the state.

PHOTO RADAR TICKETS FUNDING CLEAN ELECTIONS AND CAMPAIGN COFFERS

State 48 News first reported photo radar fines help fund Arizona’s Clean Elections system, providing public financing for political campaigns. This could mean politicians benefiting from these funds have little incentive to challenge photo enforcement, creating a conflict of interest that prioritizes revenue over voter concerns.

Twice, Sen. Fernandez asked how much revenue Paradise Valley and Mesa generate from photo radar. No answers came. Opponent Shawn Dow has called it “blatant corruption,” claiming lawmakers received a 10% cut from every ticket, totaling $36 million over a decade in campaign funds.

Committee member Rosanna Gabaldón (D-LD2) voted against SB1019, which sought to ban photo radar, and against SCR1002, which would allow voters to decide the issue. In the past, records show she received $166,020.95 in the past through Clean Elections, a system partially funded by photo radar fines. Gabaldón has not responded to requests for comment.

PHOTO RADAR BILLS THAT COULD LAND ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK FOR SIGNING

Even though voting in favor of the measure to allow voter choice, and in an ironic twist we told you about last week, Public Safety Committee Chair Sen. Kevin Payne (R-LD27) also co-sponsors Senator Frank Carroll’s SB1146, legislation to expand red-light cameras. Both senators are Republicans. And as we’ve reported, both took a stand against photo radar in 2019.

But is the bill in jeopardy?

“I don't want to speak for Frank Carroll, obviously, but what I can tell you is that I don't know that that has much support. I don't see that going forward in our caucus, the Republican caucus at all. It's something I know President Peterson and I talked about quite a bit over the last few days,” says AZ Senator T.J. Shope.
-The Afternoon Addiction with Garret Lewis | February 11, 2025

An opposing bill by Sen. Wendy Rogers - SB1019 - seeks a statewide photo radar ban but faced an objection in consent Monday, sending it to the Committee of the Whole for a voice vote before a final floor vote. Calling photo enforcement a government “cash cow,” she also sponsors the resolution SCR 1002 to let voters decide its fate.

With rival bills in play, the fight over photo enforcement is far from over—and voters may soon get the final word.

CHEAT SHEET FOR PHOTO RADAR LEGISLATION

SCR1002, a resolution, received a recommendation for Do Pass yesterday. If the SCR passes, it will be included on the 2026 ballot for voters to decide. (Rogers)
SB1019 has similar in language to SCR1002, this bill is heading for a Senate vote. If it passes in the House, it will be sent to Governor Hobbs for signature. (Rogers)
SB1146 expands photo radar and does not appear to have widespread support. If it passes, it goes to Governor Hobbs for signature. (Carroll, Payne)

THE MORE YOU KNOW

Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a 2023 bill to ban photo radar, citing its effectiveness in reducing accidents and easing law enforcement workloads. Now, if SB1146 and SB1019 reach her desk, she’ll have a choice to make: stand by her support for automated enforcement or bow to growing opposition.

State 48 News will continue to follow this legislation.

WILL THERE BE A DONALD J. TRUMP HIGHWAY?

SCM 1001, also sponsored by Sen. Wendy Rogers, urges the Arizona Department of Transportation to designate State Route 260 as the "Donald J. Trump Highway," citing his electoral success, border security efforts, economic policies, and other achievements. The memorial requests signage installation and transmission of the resolution to the ADOT director.

Yesterday, it received a Do Pass Recommendation out of the Public Safety Committee.