Mining Journal readers over the years have come to expect that we will shine a bright light on government’s attempts to get control of increasingly larger sums of your money.

Historically, with just a handful of exceptions, we have urged government at all levels to take steps to live within its means. Put another way, the answer can’t and shouldn’t always be to increase taxes or other fees. Sometimes, the best way forward is to find more efficient ways of doing things. That’s what private industry has to do every day, after all.

All of that said, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law last week a modest increase in a type of fee we think warrants our support. On Tuesday, Snyder approved a hike in the 911 surcharge on phone bills by 6 cents, increasing it from 19 cents to 25 cents. The fee on prepaid wireless plans will rise 5 percent per retail transaction, the Associated Press reported. Presently, it is less than 2 percent.

All of the above will generate about $20.2 million per year. Currently, about $28.6 million is recouped from the fees.

The goal here is to upgrade the state’s 911 systems, some of which are more than 6 decades old and use analog technology. The Upper Peninsula was upgraded a number of years ago. So were many parts of the northern Lower Peninsula. But further south, it gets sketchy pretty quickly.

Snyder said many people — including those who are deaf, blind or hard of hearing — will benefit, AP reported.

“Being able to send texts, videos, other forms of communications is critically important when you look at the world of today and how that can help first responders,” he said before signing the legislation. “I think it’s a critical safety opportunity.”

So do we.

When you need a police officer or ambulance quickly, digital communications is the way to go. It will also help the authorities to better coordinate searches or other emergency response situations.

This small fee increase is worth it.