LANSING – State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) and his House colleagues on Wednesday passed a plan that preserves funding for local 911 centers, ensuring that first responders throughout Michigan can act quickly to help residents in life-threatening situations and protect rural communities.
"By passing this plan, we are ensuring that Michigan families receive the emergency services they need to keep safe," Lahti said. "We can't take chances with people's lives. Our residents must know that they can count on 911, whether they have been in a car accident, are having a health emergency, or have an intruder in their home."
The plan passed by the House today protects the state funding that helps establish, maintain and operate 911 systems throughout Michigan. Under the plan, users of any 911-enabled device – landlines, cell phones and Internet phones – will pay the same user charge of just nineteen cents a month. The money will help ensure that counties can operate their life-saving 911 systems.
The plan requires that counties use all of the funding solely for the purpose of implementing, maintaining and operating their 911 centers.
"911 can mean the difference between life and death," Lahti said. "This legislation will ensure that our 911 centers receive the funding they need to operate smoothly and effectively. The safety of our children and our loved ones must come before politics and the special interests."