Leading Minn. Senate Democrats called for 80% increase in 911 pho...

included in next state budget bill, would generate about $5 million annually toward program’s $29 million cost. Asst. Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger (D-Mankato) and state Sen. Jane Ranum (D- Minneapolis) said move would be permanent increase. They said security plan had support of many local police, fire and emergency rescue units around state. Money from higher 911 surcharge and other sources yet to be determined would finance complete overhaul of 9-county metro Minneapolis police-fire-ambulance radio system within 3 years that would replace current outdated equipment. Plan also calls for adding latest wireless caller-location gear to 911 systems, improved coordination of fire and hospital resources, establishing 4 additional “hazmat” teams around state that would handle emergencies involving top-level hazardous materials, upgraded security at state capitol complex, establishing fund to reimburse localities for extraordinary costs related to terrorism, and providing security-related equipment and training to local emergency responders. Senate Democrats’ plan is similar to $25 million plan proposed in Dec. by House Republicans in terms of how funds would be spent. Where Democrats propose funding significant portion of program’s costs by direct levy on state’s phone users, GOP’s version doesn’t specify how any of needed funds would be raised. Ranum said homeland security should be nonpartisan issue and “top priority” for more funding, even as state contemplates deep cuts in various programs to erase projected $1.95 billion budget deficit.