WI Legislators Say "No" To Fleecing Wireless Consumers

Below is a statement I issued this afternoon in response to Governor Jim Doyle's budget proposal:

On behalf of the wireless industry and Wisconsin consumers, I am disappointed that Governor Doyle decided to place the state's deficit on the backs' of wireless consumers. Wisconsin wireless customers already pay 11.58% in taxes and fees and to burden them with more is unfair. It will also move Wisconsin to become one of the highest wireless tax and fee states in the country.

The purpose of the E9-1-1 funds is to improve public safety systems and infrastructures and ensure 9-1-1 callers can be quickly located in emergency situations and receive an effective emergency response -- from locating missing children to alerting firefighters and police.

Considering Wisconsin has four counties that haven't started implementing Wireless Phase I and since more than 20% of Americans going wireless-only, taking money away from the E9-1-1 fund is a poor decision. In other words, in the event a wireless caller gets dropped, the Public Safety Centers would be able to identify the wireless phone number and call the person back.

While we understand the difficult financial situation Wisconsin is facing, we ask legislators to remember that public safety officials are seeing vital funds disappear and wireless consumers are getting fleeced.