New York Grants $10 Million for Emergency Response, as O'Rielly Slams State for 911 Fee Diversion
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) unveiled a $10 million grant program for 911 response and emergency dispatch, but FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly (R) questioned why the state continues to divert state 911 fee revenue. The New York Division of…
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Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will award grants this year and next to counties, the governor’s office said Monday. "It is critical that first responders have access to the services and technology they need to respond to situations where every second counts," Cuomo said. DHSES Commissioner Roger Parrino said the money will fund next-generation 911 and text-to-911. O’Rielly said it’s “great that New York will provide some new money to counties to operate and maintain their 9-1-1 call centers, but the grant is pittance compared to the many millions New York siphons off from collected 9-1-1 fees.” The FCC has flagged New York as a 911 fee diverter every year since the agency’s 2009 report to Congress. New York didn’t report to the FCC in 2016, the last year for which figures have been released, but the commission said the state diverted 42 percent ($77.3 million) in 2015 (see 1804230042). Congress is weighing a bill to discourage states from the practice (see 1808170023). Cuomo's office didn't comment Monday about diversion.