FCC: New York is siphoning millions meant for emergency communications

[Madmallard]

New York’s 911 communication services are in a state of emergency themselves as Albany siphons off hundreds of millions of dollars in much-needed funds to state coffers, an FCC commissioner says.

Under a federal statute, states are allowed to collect taxes on cellphones but must use all the money for emergency communications services.

However, New York “diverts” some of the money to other things, a federal regulator says in a new report.

The Federal Communication Commission’s Michael O’Rielly complains that New York is now one of only three states that continue the practice.

New York uses these 911 funds “for either non-public safety or unspecified uses,” according to the annual FCC report, titled “On State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges.”

“This harmful behavior short-changes call centers and prevents necessary upgrades, thereby threatening the public’s safety at their most vulnerable time, or it deceives consumers by stealing their money for other spending purposes,” O’Rielly wrote in the latest report.

https://nypost.com/2019/01/05/fcc-new-york-is-siphoning-millions-meant-for-emergency-communications/

 

[Twogunwilly]

Another federal law broken. Come on feds perp walk these criminals starting with Cornholeo!

 

[SomeSoldier]

And nothing will happen. NYS needs a major reset.

 

[Paxal]

I get so sick of these daily revelations about my home state. I dont even know what to say anymore. Too many worthless woeds have already been expended.

 

[oc shooter]

never ending story and we still elect them

 

[99cummins]

The last time I called 911 (traffic accident, pdo but made a mess and wanted everyone checked out), it was 12 minutes until the fire co was alerted from when I called. I was very clear about the incident and off the phone with 911 in under a minute. 12 mins is a long time considering technology today. I should have called direct to dispatch as I have in the past. And there have been random stories about breaks in the 911 system. Why we aren’t keeping the 911 system up to par is beyond me.

Not surprised by this behavior from ny. And fuck those responsible.

 

[Grimscale]

Why we aren’t keeping the 911 system up to par is beyond me.

Um, this is just a guess but...

Because politicians are greedy fucks that don't care a whit about the people they are supposed to represent.

 

[Pissed Off Patriot]

This was reported in the news sometime ago too.

(Found it)

FCC sounds alarm about 911 fund diversion

Looks like it's been going on for years.

 

[masterswimmer]

I'm shocked!!!

 

[GOYABEAN]

isn't this the normal way things work in land

 

[Jmac00]

And nothing will happen. NYS needs a major reset.

about 5 years ago I read an article about corruption in NY. The writer ( I forget the name) basically said "you could wipeout the entire legislature this afternoon, replace every single one, from the governor down tomorrow, and nothing will have changed"

In short, the corruption is so deep, it can't be fixed. I suspect there are many states in the same boat. Just not to the extent of New Yorkistan

 

[Jmac00]

New York’s 911 communication services are in a state of emergency themselves as Albany siphons off hundreds of millions of dollars in much-needed funds to state coffers, an FCC commissioner says.

Under a federal statute, states are allowed to collect taxes on cellphones but must use all the money for emergency communications services.

However, New York “diverts” some of the money to other things, a federal regulator says in a new report.

The Federal Communication Commission’s Michael O’Rielly complains that New York is now one of only three states that continue the practice.

New York uses these 911 funds “for either non-public safety or unspecified uses,” according to the annual FCC report, titled “On State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges.”

“This harmful behavior short-changes call centers and prevents necessary upgrades, thereby threatening the public’s safety at their most vulnerable time, or it deceives consumers by stealing their money for other spending purposes,” O’Rielly wrote in the latest report.

https://nypost.com/2019/01/05/fcc-new-york-is-siphoning-millions-meant-for-emergency-communications/