Cell-phone tax not supporting 9-1-1 service as intended
Submitted by Howard Owens on July 18, 2009 - 10:02pm
Would it surprise anybody that New York has a tax that raises tens of millions of dollars that doesn't go to its intended use?
The buck-twenty you pay every month on your cell phone bill to pay for 9-1-1 service isn't supporting the intention, according to the Buffalo News.
Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha is quoted:
“Basically, they’re using that money as general revenue,” said Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha, whose office oversees 911 operations. “We have not seen any of that money.”
With these startling numbers:
The surcharge — raised in 2002 to $1.20 per month — has generated about $600 million over 15 years, but just $84 million has gone to the municipalities that operate 911 centers, the State 911 Coordinators Association found.
- Howard Owens's blog
- Login or register to post comments


