By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — July 12, 2002 – For nearly a year, lawmakers from the local to the federal level have looked for a bigger piece of the cell phone pie. Government officials continue to feel that they are not getting enough revenue from the phone companies.
Recently, a bill was proposed in Albany to establish a $.30 per month wireless surcharge. However, lawmakers did not act upon it before their session ended.
The matter was discussed at the Sullivan County Legislature's Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 3. The discussion centered upon a resolution looking for home rule legislation establishing a $.30 wireless surcharge in Sullivan County.
The resolution passed the committee. It must still go before the full board at their monthly meeting on Thursday, July 18. If it passes, County Manager Dan Briggs will ask New York State Assemblyman Jake Gunther and New York State Senator John Bonacic to sponsor the bill so the state has the opportunity to approve it.