County Executive Ed Mangano has warned of painful spending cuts to help fill the $30 million budget gap that could now be created by the speed camera repeal, including slashes in social services and public safety.
But the 19-member Legislature was committed to ending the program, saying it will work with the administration to find the revenue for the budget. Legislative Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves has said she refuses to raise taxes.
Many residents — some who said they have received multiple $80 tickets — have complained that there aren’t enough signs warning drivers of speed camera locations.
Before the vote, a long line of program critics made their feelings known.
“When they get a ticket, because they did 31 miles an hour on Glen Cove Road, that comes out of food money, that comes out of gas money to go to work,” said one resident.
