“A pretty strong grassroots effort” failed to convince Pennsylvania lawmakers to increase the 911 phone fee as part of the 2026-27 state budget.
Melissa Pérez-Carrillo is a Reporter at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where she has been covering breaking news and public safety since March 2022. Her work primarily focuses on educational policy, school governance, juvenile detention, and the legal rights of minors, reflecting her commitment to impactful journalism in these critical areas. Melissa's reporting has been featured in various outlets including Yahoo News, Orlando Weekly, and The Palm Beach Post.












