The Louisiana Supreme Court has upheld a judge's order invalidating traffic tickets issued through New Orleans' red-light and speed-enforcement camera system

The court's 6-0 vote on Wednesday could create a budget problem for the city, which collected $9.4 million from the tickets through August and expected another $5 million through the end of the year.

On Oct. 1, a state judge tossed out the tickets, saying the camera system violated a city charter provision giving the police department sole authority to enforce traffic regulations. The program had been administered by the Public Works Department.

The Times-Picayune reports an ordinance has been introduced before the city council to transfer the program's authority to police.