Many motorists believe police in Lawtey and Waldo use traffic enforcement as an means of raising revenue. They say local government should be financed by the people who live there, not by motorists, including those going to and from University of Florida games. Those motorists make a strong argument. The two towns have a combined population of about 2,000. Yet, more than 7,000 traffic fines were paid in Waldo alone last year.
Property taxes are low.
Almost no other Florida city receives more than 10 percent of its revenues that way. Both towns insist they are merely enforcing the laws. That also is true. House Bill 859 seems carefully crafted to satisfy both concerns. It would allow police to continue writing as many tickets as they want, but would not allow any government to use those fines for more than 25 percent of its total annual revenue.