Lawmaker Challenging Dispatch Cell Phone Service

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

New legislation could cut cell phone tax from 50 cents to 15 cents, which could potentially put lives in danger.

Currently, cell phone users pay a 50 cent tax each month. Emergency officials said the tax money generated allows them to pinpoint where callers are when they call 911 from your cell phone.

Fortunately for Donna Danner, Pottawatomie county enhanced its wireless 911 service prior to her assault. She was thrown from a bridge, but by using the new technology, emergency responders were able to find her from her cell phone signal.

More on News9.com : Pottawatomie County Dispatch Receives Upgrade

"They drove up on the bridge, got out of their cars, looked over the bridge," said Melvin Potter, director of Pottawatomie County 911 Center. "There she was, right below them."

But Potter, like other rural 911 officials, fears an amendment sponsored by Representative Mike Reynolds (R-91) would force them to do away with the service. The bill would reduce the tax to pay for their enhanced 911 service from 50 cents to 15 cents.

Read the full amendment that could significantly impact the 911 cell phone service.

"We will have to get revenue from someplace else to cover it," Potter said.

Representative Reynolds said he's just giving what the people are asking for, pointing to the recent tea parties like the one held on the steps of the capitol where people demanded less government and fewer taxes.

"Tax payers want to see their money is used appropriately or they want it back," Representative Reynolds said. "They want it back and this was a great example to do that."

Money that comes out to a savings of 50 cents a month would likely save tax payers only $6 a year.

"I understand cheaper taxes. I'm for that, but I also carry two cell phones, my kids have cell phones and to me, 50 cents is the best insurance policy out there," said Lincoln County 911 Administrator Joey Wakefield.

Both Pottawatomie County and Lincoln County said, on an average month, about 60 percent of their calls they receive come from cell phones.

The bill the amendment is attached to still needs to be passed by the Senate.