California's Top Lobbyist is AT&T

   When it comes to state government, AT&T spends more money, in more places, than any other company.  This year AT&T  is part of a coalition of telecom and high-tech companies seeking to strip state regulators of authority over some basic telephone services.  AT&T has shown the power to exercise political power on an unprecented scale.  Ken McNeely, president of AT&T California, said his company is active in Sacramento, California because of its large presence in California.  "We have about 40,000 employees, we have about 50,000 or so retirees, millions of customers, and millions of shareholders in the state," said McNeely.  Many of the company's victories have come at the California Public Utilities Commission, a five-member panel appointed by te governor that oversees the telecommunications industry.  See also, http://www.wired.com/.