Traffic Tickets to Campaign Coffers: The Hidden Flow of Photo Radar Money into Politics
State 48 News explores how funds from photo radar tickets funnel into AZ’s Clean Elections system, sparking debate over whether the program ensures fair campaigning or creates a conflict of interest.
This week, State 48 News broke the story on the Red Light Camera bills moving through the Arizona State Senate. With new developments unfolding, we’re back with an update to unpack the many layers of this evolving issue.
Two Republican-led bills moving forward address traffic photo enforcement - but in opposing ways.
ONE TO BAN. ONE TO EXPAND. HERE’S A WHO’S WHO.
SB 1019: Sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers, SB1019 seeks to ban photo radar statewide. Calling traffic photo enforcement a “cash cow”, Rogers makes a case against the technology. (Confident in its support, Rogers had considered a voter resolution (SCR1002), but it was scrapped in yesterday’s meeting.) Instead, SB1019 moved forward with a narrow 4-3 vote in the Senate Committee on Public Safety.
Senators Frank Carroll and Kevin Payne introduced SB 1146, a competing bill aiming to expand red-light cameras.
Notably, Senator Payne chairs the committee that advanced Rogers’ photo radar ban. Though he initially agreed to an interview with State 48 News, he later declined.
In a statement to State 48, Rogers says Payne’s SB1146 “was written by the lobbyists.” We published Rogers full statement in our first Red Light Camera story, found here: Speeding Toward Surveillance: Arizona Lawmakers Ignore Voter Opposition And Propose Expanding Traffic Cameras.
Senator Rogers' bill made it through committee yesterday, but not without a heated debate that extended over the airways.
Arizona drivers got quite the earful during rush hour traffic on Wednesday night as KNST’s Garret Lewis dug into a story we first told you about earlier in the week. And as the show went on, so did the amount of information about the unpopular traffic photo radar proposals that could hit the governor’s desk.
Earlier in the day, a heated shouting match erupted between a fierce opponent of photo radar and Arizona Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16).
Tensions flared during the Arizona Senate Committee on Public Safety’s hearing as lawmakers debated SB1019, Sen. Rogers’ bill aimed at banning photo enforcement systems for traffic violations.
Listen.
Arizona resident Shawn Dow delivered a fiery address to the committee, boasting his role in eliminating photo radar cameras in 700 cities and outlawing them in 19 states. "It’s not because we’re loud or obnoxious," he declared. "These cameras are unconstitutional. They conduct background checks on every passing vehicle without probable cause—a blatant violation of the Fourth Amendment."
Dow didn’t hold back, calling out what he labeled as blatant corruption. “The most egregious of these…. 10 percent cut of every photo radar ticket that goes into state legislators’ and state senators’ campaign coffers. The little data that we have been able to receive showed that over a 10 year period, you, the state legislators received $36M in photo radar ticket funds directly to your campaign coffers.”
With that, Shope says, “What in the hell are you talking about?”
Senator Shope took offense, interrupted Dow, and challenged him to present proof. Dow claimed he could provide the evidence, prompting Shope to raise his voice further.
“I guarantee that you won’t. I’ve never run Clean Elections, sir. I guarantee you the majority of people in this place never did either. Because, I think, only 15% do,” questions Sen. Shope to the committee.
Today, Sen. Shope spoke exclusively to State 48 News’ Jennifer Barber about the exchange now making headlines.
Shope expressed frustration over being accused of things he hasn't done, emphasizing that he has always run privately funded campaigns and has consistently worked to ban photo radar. Barber questioned whether Shope was aware that funds from tickets and penalties contribute to Clean Elections, to which he confirmed he was aware.
Shope clarified that his comments toward Dow were a reaction to the accusations being narrowly directed at legislators. He mentioned he spoke with Shawn Dow after yesterday’s meeting, where they addressed the issue and concluded it was a misunderstanding, particularly around the terminology used to describe those involved.
Senate committee discussion over SB1019 concluded with Committee Chair Kevin Payne cutting Dow off and telling him to sit down.
The irony in all of this? Sitting directly across from Sen. Shope on the Senate Committee for Public Safety is none other than committee member Rosanna Gabaldón (D-LD2), who voted against SB1019’s ban on photo radar—despite having received $166,020.95 through Clean Elections.
Why is this important?
The Citizens Clean Elections Act, enacted through Arizona's Proposition 200 in 1998, established the Citizens Clean Elections Fund to provide public financing for qualified candidates. Primary revenue source for this fund is a 10% surcharge on all civil and criminal fines and penalties collected by the state, including those from traffic violations. The mechanism ensures that a portion of the fines from various offenses contributes to the financing of clean election initiatives in Arizona.
We have reached out to Sen. Gabaldón’s for comment.
In State 48 News’ discussion with Sen. Shope, Barber pointed out that with the exception of her last two elections, Senator Galbadón received about $166,000 from Clean Elections funds and asked for Shope's opinion. Shope acknowledged that while he dislikes the Clean Elections system and has never used it himself, it remains a legal option approved by voters. He refrained from criticizing candidates who utilize it but emphasized his efforts to eliminate it as a funding source.
When asked if Galbadón’s vote on the issue constituted a conflict of interest, Shope disagreed, noting her recent lack of participation in the program. He highlighted broader issues with photo radar systems, including their questionable safety impact and use as a funding mechanism, citing Pinal County's decision to eliminate photo radar over a decade ago due to safety concerns and inefficacy.
Republican Lawmaker Backs Red-Light Camera Ban While Simultaneously Pushing to Expand Photo Radar Fines - What’s Going On?
The most stunning revelation came from Committee Chair Sen. Kevin Payne (R-LD27), who admitted that while he backs law enforcement, his constituents in Peoria have made it clear: “No” to photo radar.
In 1991, 70% of Peoria voters chose to ban traffic cameras—a clear signal that the public is against this form of enforcement.
The shock - State 48 News reported this week Sen. Payne is the co-sponsor of an opposing bill, SB1146—alongside Sen. Frank Carroll—a bill that not only expands automated traffic cameras but also, as we’re told, allows private vendors to hike fines beyond $350 with extra fees and automatically holds vehicle owners liable, no matter who was driving.
Senators Carroll and Frank, once vocal opponents of photo radar in 2019, are now leading the charge to expand it. The sudden shift raises eyebrows, especially among conservatives who traditionally oppose automated enforcement.
Sen. Shope calls the move surprising, pointing to voter data from Peoria and Tucson—both cities that repealed photo radar with broad bipartisan support. He argues that the issue transcends party lines, with Republicans, Independents, and Democrats all backing its removal.
"If you're really taking the pulse of the people," Sen. Shope said, "you should let them have the final say and put the nail in the coffin on this thing."
The question now: Will lawmakers listen, or will they push through expansion against voter sentiment?
Again, Sen. Payne cancelled our interview for comment earlier this week. We have reached out again for comment given the new developments.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
How would you feel about funding political candidates every time you broke the law? It sounds like a ridiculous question, doesn’t it?
Earlier this week, former Arizona Rep. Austin Smith shed light on the controversy surrounding the allocation of photo radar ticket fees to Clean Elections.
State 48 News has a lineup of interviews with key players shaping the debate on photo radar. Follow us to stay updated on the latest insights and discussions!