Newly elected New York Governor Eliot Spitzer wasted no time in proving that it was a new era for the state when he stopped the 3 dollar surcharge on telephone calls to and from prisoners in the New York prison system. For years inmate relatives have complained about this abusive practice while former Governor George Pataki ignored them. Verizon as well as the now defunct World Com punished the families of prisoners as well as the prisoners themselves with excessive charges. In spite of numerous demonstrations against Pataki and the two telephone giants this issue received scant coverage from the corporate media. Verizon and WorldCom/MCI gave up to 60% of the profit to New York State. This heinous act is taking place all over the country, thanks to Governor Spitzer it ends in New York State.