ALBANY -- Gov. David Paterson has vetoed a bill that would have ended the ban on state troopers plea bargaining traffic tickets in local courts.

Until 2006, troopers could discuss with drivers reducing tickets to lesser infractions. Critics say the state ban forced some municipalities to designate lawyers to handle traffic cases and made it harder for drivers to settle cases.

State police issued 1 million traffic tickets in 2007, most answered in municipal courts that count on revenue from the fines.

The legislation would have allowed troopers to appear in court when authorized by district attorneys. In his veto message, Paterson says it would make troopers vulnerable to unfounded allegations of favoritism and cost the state $5 million.