LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers shut sown a measure that could have doubled the emergency 911 fees charged for landline telephone service. LB215, introduced by Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango, died in the first round of debate after garnering only 20 votes needed to advance. The measure would have allowed Douglas County to increase its 911 surcharge to $1 a month, up from the current $.50 cap.

Sen. Hughes argued the bill would keep Douglas County in line with other counties in the state and would keep up with the improvements made to the 911 system.

Other Omaha-area senators argued this surcharge should not be implemented in the midst of a pandemic and the city could offset the cost of the proposal by reducing other taxes on phone services. Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said the local government should invest in emergency services instead of increasing the police budget or building a new youth detention center.

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