EXCLUSIVE: Blackman Greenlights Photo Radar Ban Bill for Committee Action
State 48 News receives exclusive confirmation on the next steps for legislation allowing the people to have a say on photo radar.
Time is running out and the pressure was on.
BREAKING: State 48 News can exclusively report Rep. Walt Blackman (R-LD7) has decided to move forward legislation letting the people have their say on photo radar.
Voters in Arizona's LD 7 received calls today urging them to pressure Rep. Walt Blackman. The recording claims Blackman was blocking SCR 1002, which would let voters decide whether to ban photo radar in Arizona.
The message calls on Blackman to “stop this immediately” and to schedule the bill in his committee.
Hear the exclusive audio obtained by State 48 News.
“He’s siding with these constitution shredding, deep state cameras that track all drivers passing by,” claims the message.
Last week, Rep. Blackman told State 48 News “Yes, it’s in my committee, and my staff and I are still reviewing the bill. Before I decide to hear it.”
Within an hour of asking Rep. Blackman for a response today, the lawmaker had made up his mind and responded to our question.
But is the bill still in jeopardy?
State 48 News has followed every step of photo radar legislation this year.
In the last hearing, Arizona lawmakers debated SCR 1002, the proposal to let voters decide whether to ban photo radar statewide. The hearing revealed sharp tensions over privacy concerns, vendor influence, and the flow of photo radar ticket revenue into political campaign funds. Lawmakers grilled a key industry lobbyist over data collection practices, while Rep. Leo Biasiucci criticized speed cameras as ineffective. Meanwhile, Rep. Pamela Carter reversed her stance mid-hearing, leaving the resolution’s fate uncertain.
Last week, Rep. Pamela Carter (R-LD4) initially supported SCR 1002, saying she was glad to see the issue headed to voters. But about an hour into the hearing, she shifted, voting "present" and citing the need to consult her advisors. After followers on our X account questioned who those advisors were, Carter publicly responded.
THE MORE YOU KNOW.
State 48 News is following this developing story. Please set your alerts on X and Facebook for news as it happens.
We thank Rep. Blackman for his response. As always, we invite lawmakers to discuss the major topics of the day. Please contact us here.