CHARLESTON, WV—Newly appointed state senator Paul Hardesty (D- Logan) has today sent a letter to Governor Jim Justice asking him to reconsider his position on Senate Bill 289 (“Relating to wireless enhanced 911 fee”).
The Governor’s Bill, as submitted, would take $0.34 of the current $3.00 wireless enhancement fee away from county 911 centers and place the money with the Public Service Commission for reallocation.
Hardesty outlines in his letter that county commissioners, 911 directors, local law enforcement, fire, EMS and other first responders from across the state are opposed to this bill.
“As a former county administrator and chairman of a 911 board, I completely understand the total frustration county government officials have with this bill,” said Hardesty.
“West Virginia has the fourth oldest population in the country,” Hardesty stated. “You combine that with the drug epidemic and very poor primary and secondary road conditions, which put us at a higher risk for more motor vehicle accidents, and you can clearly see that county 911 centers will have increased call volumes and be responding to more severe calls.”
Hardesty submitted the letter to Governor Justice this morning. He looks forward to the Governor’s response.