ABQjournal: Qwest's Settlement Offer Has Critics

Andrew Webb from the Journal was kind enough to point me toward the article by Rosalie Rayburn from earlier in the month that identifies the groups objecting to the Governors plan and the reasons why.

ABQjournal: Qwest's Settlement Offer Has Critics:

The New Mexico Internet Professionals Association, consumers group Citizens for Integrity and Transparency in Utility Matters, and the Department of Defense/Federal Executive Agencies filed formal challenges this week with the state Public Regulation Commission.
 
The Internet group— an Internet service providers organization— said it opposes the agreement because it was excluded from discussions that led to it. Qwest, the state General Services Department and state Attorney General's Office were the only signatories to the proposal, the group said.
 
The Internet group also said the proposal should do more to benefit residents.
 
"Clearly we have concerns about the contents of the proposal, about the way it was done," said Marianne Granoff, chairman of the New Mexico Internet Professionals Association's government affairs committee.
 
Citizens for Integrity said the proposal fails to offer equal benefits to all customers.
 
In addition, the proposal calls for Qwest, the GSD and the attorney general to determine whether Qwest has met its new promise, leaving the most appropriate oversight agency, the PRC, out of the equation, CITUM director David E. Mittle said in the filing.
 
The Department of Defense/Federal Executive Agencies said the offer fails to provide for improved telecom services for Los Alamos National Lab and White Sands Missile Range.
 
The Internet group and CITUM also questioned why the GSD and attorney general took it upon themselves to do the PRC's job. The groups cautioned against moving quickly on the proposal as requested by GSD, the Attorney General's Office and Qwest.

Wow, WOW, WOW!!!!!! Right before our own eyes! Just explain to me how this is any different from Dick Cheney holding private meetings with energy companies to craft the energy plan? Damit, I hate it when Democrats do this. Especially the ones that are running against Republicans that have taken over $400,000 from oil companies themselves. I almost am afraid to look at the finance reports.

Comments

[jimharper]

Thank God for CITUM, the de facto consumer utility advocate in this state.

Qwest reneged. Now, the deal is to let them re-promise and go their merry way? Is this the best the master negotiator Bill Richardson can do? Is this the work of the born-again tough prosecutor Patricia Madrid?

The $225 Mil is about half the cost of the railrunner train if it were fully functional. No big deal. Just give it back to Qwest.