Rhode Island Diverting 911 Fees into the Operating Budget
The Associated Press is reporting that Rhode Island is one of several states that’s been using money from fees on cell-phones, nominally intended to support 911 service, to plug holes in its yearly operating budget…
Oregon, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Tennessee are among the states that have dipped into their 911 money recently. New York and Rhode Island have been diverting their funds for at least five years. States started collecting the funds in the 1990s.
In the fiscal year that ended in June 2008, Rhode Island collected $19.4 million in 911 fees and used $5.8 million for 911. The rest went to the state’s general fund.
FWIW I haven’t heard many,if any,911 horror stories in RI.We seem to have a well-run operation.Those f**kheads in the Statehouse could mess up just about anything,couldn’t they?
Thieves!
Seems to me that they are over-chargig for 911 services and that line item on our phone bills should be reduced. I know, it’s such a radical idea.