PSC raises fee for hearing-impaired service

From: Kansas City Business Journal, MO - Apr 2, 2003

The Missouri Public Service Commission has raised the Relay Missouri surcharge from 9 cents to 10 cents a month per telephone access line in Missouri, the agency announced.

The 1-cent increase will generate an estimated $386,000 a year in additional revenue, Kevin Kelly, a spokesman for the commission, said Wednesday.

The Relay Missouri program gives deaf, hearing-impaired and speech-impaired residents access to the telephone network to complete a call. Communications assistants translate calls for hearing- or speech-impaired callers.

The PSC staff recommended the 1-cent increase on Feb. 10 because the Relay Missouri fund balance had dropped from $6.48 million on Sept. 30 to $4.98 million on Jan. 31.

Missouri law requires the PSC to review the monthly surcharge at least every two years and at most every year, and review the percentage local telephone companies deduct and retain for billing and collection costs.

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