O'Rielly Won't Back USF Help for US Virgin Islands Without Action on 911 Fees
It would be “extremely difficult” to back additional USF money to the U.S. Virgin Islands without “a firm commitment and a timeline” on ending the territory’s diversion of 911 fees, FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly wrote Gov. Albert Bryan (D), released…
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Thursday. “Your guarantees and demonstrated compliance plan could go a long way toward alleviating Commission concerns, which if left unaddressed could put precious USF support at risk.” The USF money could go toward restoring the territory’s communications infrastructure, O’Rielly said. It diverted over $1.2 million in 911 fees, according to data from 2017, with 30 percent going to the Health Department and 30 percent to the fire service, O’Rielly said. He noted Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Chairman Ajit Pai are also concerned about such moves. The governor’s office didn’t comment.