I mean, does this mean that every phone whose public IP address is registered to an entity based in Michigan?  Or is this just a tax on where the handset resides?  Or...?

"Thank you for your correspondence regarding SB 410 - SB 411which would add a monthly fee on each land line, cell, and internet phone.  Your views are important to me and allow me to better represent Livonia in the Legislature.

These bills originally passed the Senate in an effort to create a tiered funding system and assess a surcharge on all devices capable of accessing 9-1-1. The bills as passed in the Senate, were revenue neutral and replaced the current $0.29 charge on land-lines with a $0.19 charge distributed on all telecommunication devices with 9-1-1 access.  It is important to note, SB 410 and SB 411 were intended to stabilize 9-1-1 funding across the State of Michigan.

(And now the kicker)
Unfortunately, when the House Appropriations passed SB 410 - SB 411 they added a $0.62 tax on phone lines, collected by the new Public Safety Fund.  It is believed that this new tax will generate a total of $78.8 million in additional revenue in the first year.

I believe this fee would make the telecommunications industry less competitive in Michigan compared to other states.  In addition, higher fees would be difficult for many families and businesses who are already struggling to pay their bills in Michigan's lagging economy.   This fee would add up very quickly for large families with several cell phones or businesses with multiple phone lines.

Again, I do support necessary law enforcement programs, but believe we must restructure government to find more efficiencies so that these programs can be funded from the General Fund, not by raising fees on phone service.  

If there is anything further I can do please feel free to contact my office.  Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.

Sincerely,