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Gov. Bill Richardson has added Albuquerque's controversial red-light camera program to the agenda of state legislators, with an eye on using some of its revenue for DWI prevention.

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez said he supports the idea.

"The mayor would welcome the opportunity, as of course would the Albuquerque Police Department, to work with the governor and the Governor's Office to utilize this excess revenue for traffic awareness and enforcement on a statewide level," Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said Monday.

A blog post on the governor's state Web site Monday said Richardson has agreed to allow the issue into the 30-day legislative session that started Jan. 15.

The program uses automated cameras to catch red-light runners at major city intersections. Citations are issued by mail.

The Legislature last year approved two red-light camera bills. One, signed by Richardson, required the city to install warning devices such as rumble strips at intersections using the cameras.

A second bill was vetoed. It would have diverted $74 from every $100 generated in red-light fines to the state. According to the blog, Richardson agreed to veto the bill in return for the city reducing fines.

Since then, critics — including several city councilors — have questioned how the city uses the revenue and the program's effectiveness as a safety mechanism, as well as the city's contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, the Arizona company that administers the program.

"The governor believes it is reasonable for the Legislature to revisit the issue," the blog stated.

During a 30-day session, legislators are authorized to tackle only budget and tax issues or other subjects put on their agenda by the governor.

Richardson has talked with legislators about the possibility of using some of the red-light camera revenue to pay for DWI programs around the state, said Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for Richardson.

Chavez in the past has opposed any attempt to divert money, saying it could cripple the program.

His tune has changed now, thanks largely to the unexpected amount of excess revenue the program has generated, Schultz said —more than $5 million over the past two fiscal years.

The City Council in December passed a bill moving that money into a separate city fund where it will be used for nonrecurring public safety purposes.

"Since there is excess money available — it's already been designated to be used for public safety purposes —the mayor would welcome the opportunity to work with the state in improving traffic safety conditions," Schultz said.

The mayor would prefer not limiting the the use of that money to DWI prevention, Schultz added. Chavez would also like to see it used to rein in red-light runners and speeders, he said.

"New Mexico is known across the country for having some pretty dismal drivers," Schultz said.

At least one DWI prevention advocate questioned using the money statewide.

"I'd say, why?" said Linda Atkinson, executive director of the DWI Resource Center in Albuquerque. "When we look at an offender-funded program, it's usually in the areas where the offenders are. They're running the red lights here. I think the revenues should stay here in the city."

A red-light camera task force convened by Chavez issued a report earlier this month recommending the city continue the program until its contract with Redflex expires in 2009, but that the fines be lowered to match the citations issued by Albuquerque traffic police.

City Council President Brad Winter, a vocal critic of the program, said he's requesting that the task force make a presentation to the council at its meeting Wednesday to discuss the report.

The governor's call to put the issue on the agenda of legislators, Winter said, validates his own concerns with the program.

"I think this whole program has been under a cloud from the very beginning," Winter said. "I think he (Richardson) sees it as a very big issue. I think what he's seeing is the same thing the City Council is seeing. There are some issues."