Gov. Wolf Expected To Sign Bill Renewing Surcharge On Phone Service To Fund 911 Service

By Tony Romeo 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Governor Wolf is expected to sign a bill that would renew and increase the surcharge on phone service to fund 9-1-1 service, a bill that is on the way to his desk.

The clock is running on the phone surcharge law. It was set to expire next week unless renewed by the legislature.

The state Senate Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would renew the surcharge and sent it to Governor Wolf's desk. Wolf's spokesman says he supports the legislation. Lawmakers, however, did not just renew the surcharge, but they will also raise the fee, which is currently $1.00 to $1.50 a month, they'll raise it to a flat $1.65.

A version passed by the House had also given counties authorization to impose a tax of up to $52 per residential address per year, but that provision was removed by the House.

The revenues raised by the phone surcharge are used to fund the state's 9-1-1 call centers.