Counties afraid state is underfunding emergency services
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania.) Pennsylvania lawmakers once again declined to increase the state’s 911 surcharge in this year’s budget, leaving counties to cover rising costs for emergency call centers on their own. The surcharge — a monthly, flat-rate phone fee Pennsylvanians pay to support emergency services — helps cover the costs of personnel, technology, and maintenance of 61 call centers ...