The State Senate, last week, approved legislation sponsored by state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9, to abolish the scandal-ridden Philadelphia Traffic Court.
Senate Bill 283 is identical to a joint resolution passed last session in the General Assembly to eliminate the court. Because complete elimination of the Philadelphia Traffic Court requires an amendment to the state constitution, it must be passed in two consecutive legislative sessions and be approved by voters in a statewide referendum. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
“The need for this constitutional amendment was clear in the last session and is clear today,” Pileggi said in a press release, noting that no other county in Pennsylvania has a traffic court created and allowed by the constitution.
“Eliminating the Philadelphia Traffic Court will save up to $650,000 per year,” he added. “There is no good reason for taxpayers to continue footing the bill for a court that is unnecessary and has become an embarrassment to the state’s judicial system.”
In 2012, the General Assembly also approved Pileggi’s legislation to create a new Traffic Division in the Philadelphia Municipal Court to handle the responsibilities of Traffic Court.
Pileggi said he is pleased the Senate took quick action to consider SB 283. The bill will now move to the House for consideration.
