LANSING – State Representative Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) today voted in support of 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.
"Our 911 system is a key component in our public safety initiatives, and making sure it is fully funded will help ensure that it works for our residents," Jones said. "Our residents rely on 911 dispatchers and first responders to keep them safe from harm and to get them to safety in an emergency. This plan keeps our 911 system working for our families in Kalamazoo."
The plan passed by the House today with wide bipartisan support 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.
"Keeping our residents safe is a top priority for me," Jones said. "If someone breaks into your house or your child gets hurt while playing in the yard, I want our residents to be secure in the fact that when they call 911, help will be on the way. This is the right thing to do to support our first responders and protect our community."