Mayes' Plan to Protect Taxpayers, Strengthen 9-1-1 Services to Become Law

Plan Will Require Voters' Consent For Surcharge Increases

December 17, 2008
By: MyBayCity Staff

PRESS RELEASE: State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) today announced that his plan to limit the amount by which a county can increase its surcharge for 9-1-1 services without voters' consent has passed both the House and Senate and will be presented to the Governor to be signed into law.

"Michigan residents are already tightening their belts during these tough economic times," Mayes said. "My plan will ensure that our residents continue to receive the highest quality of emergency services, while protecting them from steep hikes in service costs."

Mayes' plan limits the amount a county board can assess for a 9-1-1 surcharge at 42 cents per phone or other device. Any additional amount, up to $3, would be subject to the approval of the voters of the county. This gives counties flexibility in setting the surcharge, while preventing large rate increases without prior approval. Current funding levels would be grandfathered in, so that no vote would be required to maintain existing services.

In addition to bipartisan, bicameral support, Mayes' plan also has the support of the Telecommunications Association of Michigan (TAM), the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), the Michigan Communication Directors Association, the Michigan Municipal League, Sprint and AT&T.

"Our emergency services are a vital part of our community and we must ensure that our 9-1-1 system not only stays intact, but it excels in providing life-saving services to our residents," Mayes said. "I'm proud that my colleagues in the House and Senate joined me in reaching across the aisle to put our residents' quality of life ahead of politics. That's what being a lawmaker is all about."