NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Democratic state Sen. Lee Harris of Memphis has filed legislation that would use revenue from municipal red light cameras to send students to college.
Harris said the proposal filed this week will create a new scholarship opportunity for students. Under the proposal, all revenue generated by new red light camera contracts after July 1, 2015, would go to the Drive to College scholarship.
According to a report by The Commercial Appeal, red light cameras have generated $3.1 million in camera-related fines in Memphis alone, but the Arizona-based contractor earned $4.8 million.
Last month, Republican state Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden said he plans to file legislation that seeks to ban speeding and red-light cameras in Tennessee.