Measures to raise fees on millions of phone bills in Pennsylvania passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday in a bid to bolster funding for county-run 911 centers and the state’s 988 suicide hotline.
Both measures, which were backed by every Democrat and a handful of Republicans, would annually adjust the fees with inflation.The 911 bill passed 121-82, and would increase the existing $1.65 monthly fee to $1.97 on Pennsylvanian’s phone bills. The funds will support equipment, operations and new technology, sponsors said. It is expected to generate an additional $30 million, for a projected total of $365 million in fiscal year beginning July 1.
The House passed the 988 bill 113-90, to create a new 6-cent fee beginning Jan. 1. The estimated $12 million generated annually to start would help fund operations of the call centers, with staffing, routing of calls and services.Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters. Both measures, which were backed by every Democrat and a handful of Republicans, would annually adjust the fees with inflation. The legislation now goes on to the Republican-controlled Senate.
The measures come as the House unanimously passed a measure on Tuesday to cut monthly phone bills by exempting cell phone use from the 6% sales tax and the 5% gross receipts tax. Sponsors say it would save Pennsylvanians an estimated $124 million per year if also passed by the state Senate. A spokeswoman for the House Democrats said, though it would vary, a typical consumer could see about a 79-cent reduction in 2024 under just the proposed tax cut. With the proposed increase through the 911 and 988 bills, it would be net reduction of about 41 cents per month in 2024.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pa. House passes phone surcharges to support 911, suicide hotlineBoth bills passed with bipartisan votes, although most Republicans voted against, with several expressing concern that the bills tie the surcharges to inflation.
Read more »
Austin's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center touted as national role modelIn years past, reporting someone in mental crisis might have involved a call to 911 and a visit from police. But since June of last year, getting mental help has become as easy as dialing 988.
Read more »
Unabomber Ted Kaczynski hanged himself in prison: 911 callUnabomber Ted Kaczynski committed suicide in a federal medical prison by hanging himself inside his cell, according to a 911 call from the detention center. An official called in the suicide early …
Read more »
A woman suffering life-threatening injuries called 911, but no one answeredHer husband called over and over, stopping by neighbors, begging them to call while he rushed home to get his car.
Read more »
Unabomber Ted Kaczynski hanged himself in prison, 911 call revealsAn official called in the suicide early Saturday morning at FMC Butner, in North Carolina, noting medics were working on “a guy that was hanging,” TMZ reports.
Read more »