NEGLIGENT PHONE COMPANIES MUST PAY 911 TAXES

According to officials in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, some local telephone-service providers are pocketing tax money. The counties want that money back, and they should be aggressive in making sure it is recovered.

The possibility of pursuing criminal charges shouldn't be ruled out.

The problem involves small telephone companies that provide service over lines owned by Southwestern Bell. County officials say these companies -- Southwestern Bell is not the culprit -- are collecting taxes earmarked for the counties' emergency 911 systems but are failing to turn the revenue over the counties.

The taxes are set at 8 percent of base service in Cape Girardeau County and 15 percent in Scott County. It is unknown how much revenue the counties are losing, but in this situation, any amount is too much.

When residents are paying their hard-earned dollars in taxes, that money should be going where it's supposed to with no exceptions and no excuses.

This doesn't seem to be a case of oversight on the part of the companies. According to county officials, the companies know they are collecting the taxes. If the companies -- the exact number doing business in the area is unknown -- know enough to collect the taxes, they should know that the revenues is supposed to go somewhere, and it isn't into their own bank accounts.

Cape Girardeau County and Scott County officials should act swiftly to find out what businesses owe them and how much. In addition to full payment of back taxes, the counties should also demand interest and see to it that the companies begin to turn over future 911 tax revenue in a timely manner.

At this point, it is unclear if the actions of these companies rises to the level of criminal behavior. However, the possibility of pursuing some sort of sanctions, if warranted, should be considered.

No one, individuals or businesses, enjoy paying taxes. But as long as the 911 taxes are in effect, that money belongs to all of us as taxpayers, and we should be reaping the benefits of the services for which that revenue is intended.