Seems like two areas to tax to pay for them would be rather simple changes...
For the utilities commission, simply charge the sales tax on the retail price of the cell phone they’re getting for ‘free’ (aka on the taxpayer dime.) After all, everyone ELSE has to pay the sales taxes on phones carriers give away. And trust me, no one’s going to walk away going ‘$20 in taxes is too much to pay’, they’ll just whine a little.
And while they’re at it, also remove the free bags from food stamp recipients. The rest of us have to schlep the bags to the market, they can too.
And suffered the Indignity of Samsung refusing the Trade-in Phones for scratches and wear after being in an Otterbox Case - Never trust Samsung with product trade-in's.
Phone companies make a phone for under $325 for the latest Apple or Samsung phones yet we are treated worst than a Ford Dealer selling cars. RICO must apply to phone sales prices - the collusion to drive prices to above $1,000 needs some serious Anti-Trust.