Letter from Commissioner O'Rielly on New Mexico 911 Fee Diversion

On June 19, 2018, Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O'Rielly wrote to Charles Salle, Deputy Director of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee. He was responding to a phone call Commissioner O'Rielly received addressing why the state of NM diverted 9-1-1 fees in 2016. Commissioner O'Rielly wrote, "It is my understanding that the state faced 'extraordinary solvency' that year due to the decreasing price of oil and swept almost every state account in order to make-up a $1 billion shortfall....While I firmly believe that diversion is detrimental to consumers and emergency personnel, no matter how meritorious the cause, I am relieved to learn that this appeared to be a unique situation and will not serve as precedent or common practice. Moreover, I am pleased to learn that the state did not divert funds in 2017 and is committed to not diverting funds in 2018 or the near future."