HOUSTON (AP) - A federal judge in Houston is being asked whether the Nov. 2 decision by Houston voters to turn off red-light cameras was legal.
City Attorney David Feldman on Thursday argued that Houston does not owe the company that operated the program, American Traffic Solutions Inc., more money because the contract was voided by the decision of voters.
Scottsdale, Ariz.,-based ATS maintains the contract, which expires in 2014, is not automatically nullified and that the city should keep the cameras operating and paying the company. ATS also questions whether a public referendum can overturn public safety laws.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes has ordered both sides, by next week, to produce additional arguments about legality of the referendum, which was approved with 53 percent support.
The cameras were turned off Nov. 15.
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