Cedar Rapids traffic cameras face debate over revenue and safety
Officials argue cameras cut red light violations while revenue shares favor a private vendor. In seven months Cedar Rapids received 1.58 million with 1.02 million paid to Gatso USA, and projections show 3.1 million revenue in 2012 with 1.1 million to the vendor. A survey funded by the mayor cites traffic safety and revenue gains. Iowa lawmakers declined a 2009 ban despite nationwide bans in a few states.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Gatso USA
Beverly, Mass
Gatso
O’konek
Ron Corbett
Kraig Paulsen
Hiawatha
Maine
Mississippi
Montana
Iowa
Hampton man survives motorcycle crash and long recovery
Ray Baltes, former editor of the Hampton Chronicle, survived a severe April 14 motorcycle crash after colliding with a pickup driven by Howard Thies. He endured multiple surgeries, weeks in three hospitals, and grueling physical therapy, insisting on fighting to live for his wife Julie and son Tommy while continuing to push toward work and recovery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ray Baltes
Hampton
Highway 65
Associated Press
The
Hampton Chronicle
Baltes
Howard Thies
Mason City
University of Iowa
Iowa City
Terrie Halverson
Franklin General
George Artley
Mid-America
Julie
Tommy
Cedar Rapids Budget Sees Higher Home Taxes and New Debt Plan
The budget proposes a 4.8 percent property tax rise with residential values up 4.3 percent. Utility rates climb to 73.01 monthly. It includes an assistant city manager, two in school police, debt of 10 million for a parking ramp and 8.7 million for a PCI ramp, plus 2 million net from traffic cameras and 600,000 from tow fees. Pension payments rise to 24.76 percent of wages, with growth to 29.3 and 37.3 percent in following years. Flood-recovery staff changes, automated collection, and new development fund are outlined. Flood-recovery director Greg Eyerly resigns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pomeranz
Second Street
Federal Courthouse
Physicians’ Clinic of
Iowa
Medical Mall
10Th Street
Second Avenue SE
PCI
Cedar Rapids
State Department of Revenue
Greg Eyerly
Health care mandates and job effects debated in policy reports
Analysts weigh an NFIB study on a hypothetical employer mandate against the actual ObamaCare law. Experts note variables complicate outcomes, with CBO deficit forecasts, possible wage effects, and potential long term growth impacts cited by economists from Moody’s Analytics and Harvard.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
NFIB
Stephanie Cathcart
Michael Steel
John Boehner
Ohio
GOP
Also Mentioned on This Page
DOT
Konek
Lown Man
Fick. Smith
Sourcemedia. Net
Ane
National Federation of Independent Business
Small Business Association
Congressional Research Service
CRS
Chris Varvares
Macroeconomic Advisers
St. Louis
Congressional Budget Office
Boehner
CBO
Chandra
Harvard
Weinberg
New America Foundation
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