Warren County commissioner opposes proposed telecommunications fee to fund 988 crisis system

Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III is voicing strong opposition to a proposal that would add a new monthly telecommunications fee to support New Jersey’s 9-8-8 crisis system. Senate Bill 4502, which goes before the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on Thursday, would impose a 40-cent charge per month on every phone line in the state.

Kern said the measure adds another financial burden on residents and small businesses while lacking assurances that the funds will be used as intended. He cited the state’s 911 fee as an example of a broken promise to taxpayers.

“New Jersey cannot afford another broken promise,” Kern said. “Before adding a new charge to every phone bill, the state must show it responsibly manages the money it already collects. Taxpayers deserve real accountability.”

Under the bill, the new 9-8-8 fee would be collected by telecommunications companies and credited to a special state account, the “9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline Trust Fund Account,” within the Department of the Treasury. The money would be used to cover expenses associated with operating and expanding 9-8-8 Lifeline services, including crisis response teams, stabilization centers and public awareness campaigns.

Kern said New Jersey’s history of diverting dedicated funds — such as the 911 surcharge — raises serious concerns about creating another statewide fund without firm transparency and oversight measures.

“For nearly two decades, millions have been collected from phone customers with the promise of improving emergency communications systems, yet only a small portion has been used for those upgrades,” Kern said. “Counties were left to fund major improvements on their own while most of the state revenue went elsewhere.”