KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Millions of your tax dollars are going to provide cell phones for people who can't afford them.

This month Tennessee becomes the first state in the SafeLink Wireless program.

In an emergency, cell phones can mean the difference between life and death.

No one disputes that, and most agree that giving needy people cell phones to call 911 sounds reasonable.

But in these tough economic times, some say using your tax dollars to subsidize cell phone minutes is not a good call.

The billboard sounds too good to be true, free government-funded cell phones. The offer is real, but it's not free to taxpayers. Some say it's a sign of government gone too far."

Knoxville resident Larry Lee says, "My immediate reaction is, it's the federal government taking money out of my left pocket, taking a surcharge for administration and putting it back in my right pocket, because it's just not something the federal government has any business doing."

But the government is in the business, in a way. Tracfone provides the phones. Low income people who qualify get 68 minutes of free airtime without signing a contract. Tracfone pays $3.50 per person, but the federal government pays $10. With over 800,000 eligible Tennesseans, there's potential to spend up to eight-million dollars of your tax money. Tracfone makes no apologies.

Jose Fuentes is the director of government relations for Tracfone Wireless. He says, "Since when did safety and access become a privilege. Everyone should have 911 access, everyone should have that right."

911 access is free even when the minutes run out. Some taxpayers say giving truly needy people some additional minutes seems reasonable, too.

Knoxville resident Eddie Plunkett says, "I think it's got some real merit. Particulary in certain age groups and health conditions and everything. I think it would be really advantageous."

Still, some say there's already a better way to fix the problem.

Lee says, "A lot of them are coming from non-profit organizations, people voluntarily donating money, donating old cell phones and they're refurbished and provided to people for emergency use. The cell phones companies themselves are providing this. Why do we need the federal government in the midst of this?"

Tennessee came first, but it won't be the last. Tracphone expects Florida, New York and other states to follow soon, providing help for more people and increasing your tax burden.

You can learn more about the SafeLink Wireless program by Clicking Here.

If you don't have access to a computer, call 1-800-977-3768.