Republican-Run Chambers Move To Kill Traffic Ct.

Philadelphia Traffic Court is the objection of disaffection by the Republican controlled General Assembly and proved it as the House voted 117-81 to approve a constitutional change to eliminate the court. It was strictly a party-line vote as far as the Republicans were concerned.

The bill had passed the Senate easily last month. It must now pass  another session of the General Assembly before it goes on a statewide referendum for the voting public to decide.

A more-crucial bill, transferring Traffic Court duties to the Municipal Court, was expected to pass the House by approximately the same margin  as this paper went to press. This one is expected to go to the Senate for speedy approval and onward to the Governor, who is expected to sign it.

State Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), the Majority Leader, has been the architect and chief sponsor of the legislation. He defended his effort by saying, “Only Philadelphia has a Traffic Court.”

In the meantime, Traffic Court’s primary winners are in limbo. They campaigned for months, only to be told their goal to win a seat in Traffic Court is being wiped out.

Especially concerned was Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) , chairman of the Democratic City Committee. He understood the Republicans were calling for a party-line vote on the killing legislation, especially since it appears the General Election vote — with a 7-1 Democratic plurality — would literally guarantee wins by the three Democratic nominees, Omar Sabir, Marnie Aument Loughrey, and Donna DeRose, against the two Republican nominees, Ella Butcher and Chris Vogler.

Brady said, “I am deeply concerned. Every avenue to save Traffic Court is being explored. It is a shame the Republican-controlled Assembly  does not understand the ramifications of its actions.”

Observers of this effort to eliminate Traffic Court as a Philadelphia institution is seen as a Republican strategy, hoping to weaken Democratic City Committee, and use the  Court’s recent problems as another reason to support Republican candidates.

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