FCC Report on 911 Taxes Identifies States' Improper Use of Funds

On December 19, the FCC published its 11th Annual Report on State 911 taxes, in which it found that nearly $198 million in 911 taxes charged to voice service consumers were improperly diverted to non-911 purposes in 2018. That's down from the $285 million in 911 tax revenues the FCC found were improperly diverted by states in 2017. However, the 11th Report reveals that New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island continue to be the worst offenders. The 11th Report identified over $186 million in diverted 911 tax dollars from New Jersey and New York combined. It's important that FCC keep these states in the spotlight and that both the Commission and Congress consider measures to hold those states and others accountable.