During his 2008 campaign, Barack Obama made few statements on the subject of transportation. Now that he has taken office, Obama has a lot on his plate besides transportation issues. As such, he’s appointed to Ray LaHood as the Transportation Secretary of the United States to oversee transportation policy decisions. Only problem is, LaHood and his new number two man love speed cameras and toll roads.
LaHood’s number two man, Deputy Secretary John Porcari, will serve as the Transportation Department’s chief operating officer, overseeing day-to-day operations.
Porcari recently headed Maryland’s transportation agency’s push to install speed cameras on every freeway. In April, Porcari was out supporting passage of a legislation allowing speed cameras in “work zones” that have no workers (we really hate those work zones – a lot).
Porcari had set the fine of a speed camera ticket at $2,000; however, the legislatures opted for a significantly reduced fine from Porcari’s original proposal.
Oh and if these two weren’t enough. President Obama has also nominated Victor M. Mendez to be Administrator of Federal Highway Administration. He recently coordinated state agencies and interest groups for the rollout of the state’s freeway speed camera program in Arizona.
Yeah – we’re not a fan of these guys at all.
- By: Kap Shah
Source: TheNewspaper (via TTAC)
