MCI WorldCom Praises Rejection Of The US West 'Monopoly Preservation Act Of 1999'

BACKGROUND:

Today, Governor Gary Johnson acted in the best interests of New Mexico
consumers, businesses and future of local phone competition in the
state by choosing to veto the U S WEST-backed Senate Bill (SB) 408.
This action, taken at a time when U S WEST still controls 97% of all
phone lines in its New Mexico service territory, prevents the local
phone monopoly from tightening its stranglehold on the state's
local phone market and preserves the mandate of the Public Regulation
Commission (PRC) to protect consumers against future abuses at the
hands of the U S WEST monopoly.

(The following statement should be attributed to Bill Levis,
regional director for MCI WorldCom Public Policy.)

SANTA FE, N.M., April 9, 1999 --

"A great sigh of relief was heard in New Mexico today when
Governor Johnson acted to protect New Mexico consumers, businesses and
the future of local phone competition by vetoing SB 408, the U S WEST
'Local Phone Monopoly Preservation Act of 1999'.

"Governor Johnson's veto of SB 408 ensures that local phone
competition and it's consumer benefits -- a choice of carriers,
lower prices, better quality customer care, and new innovative services
-- will become available to New Mexicans in the future.

"The governor saw through U S WEST's empty promises. He
stood fast in the face of tremendous political pressure exerted by the
monopoly, ultimately doing right by the citizens he serves.

Now, MCI WorldCom turns its attention to Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota
and Washington, where U S WEST is pursuing similar anti-consumer and
anti-competitive legislative campaigns."

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