E-911 legislation could prove costly
Published 11:20 pm Friday, March 18, 2011
Even in the world of politics, rather, especially in the world of politics, common sense should prevail.
But, even though the change in leadership in Montgomery from Democratic control to Republican control promised sensible leadership, positive change and any other catchy phrase political spin doctors could throw together, one common obviously stands true.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
In two proposed bills, one in the Alabama House and the other in the Alabama Senate, the new leadership is proposing to allow cellular phone wireless carriers to charge less of a E-911 service charge than that of landline customers or accounts.
While we are all in favor of less service fees, we can’t think of one that is more valuable than the ones that care for our safety and those that are there in a case of an emergency.
With the increase in the number of people doing away with their landline phones, switching instead to using nothing more than a cell phone, the lower revenues from less E-911 service fees could be devastating to the E-911 operations around the state.
This fee should be left alone and should remain at the same level being charged for landline accounts. Simply, it is money well spent.
If this legislation is allowed to move forward, the ramifications would not only be painful to the budgets of counties throughout the state, but, God forbid, it could prove deadly if the services have to be cut back at all.
The Alabama Legislature would be better served by moving on to other, more important matters and leaving those that are working just fine, alone.