Feds versus Texas on cell phone test

AUSTIN - A cell phone jamming test in Texas is off because federal officials would not OK it, then apparently changed their minds. Now Texas officials are accusing the Federal Communications Commission of bureaucratic double-talk.

A crackdown on illegal cell phones in Texas prisons came after a death row inmate called and threatened a legislator.

Federal law bans the jamming of radio signals -- including cell phones. So Texas officials have canceled Thursday's demonstration of an electronic device that would do just that.

But Tuesday, the FCC proposed that Texas move ahead with the test -- law or not. Agency spokesman Robert Kenny cited public safety concerns.

Later, state Rep. Jerry Madden pushed for the testing -- but the Austin American-Statesman reports he was rebuffed by state officials.

Kenny says the FCC is willing to work with Texas officials on the complex issue.

On Friday, KXAN broke news that at least 62 employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice have been recently investigated for smuggling contraband, including cell phones, into the prison system.