Big Oil...Paying their "Fair Share"

[danefan]

I wish I could read the article. Need a login now.

What I can tell you from professional experience is that the least accurate reporting of a company's true tax expense is found in its SEC filings. GAAP account for taxes is one of the least economic anlyses I've ever encountered.

[LeadBolt]

Apparently not heavily enough, as our infrastructure is still in shambles.

Negative. It's the legislators that don't know how to effectively manage money that has led to our infrastructure problems. The answer isn't always "more money," sometimes it's to work smarter not harder.

I would not limit this to legislators, who share blame, but more blame seems to lie with the executive branch that actually manages the expenditures of the money through antiquated and ineffective procedures, as well as overseeing diversions of funds, both those made by the legislature and those made by the executive branch. Of course standing up and blowing the whistle is probably a great way to become the target of a law suit by the Justice Department, a tax audit by the IRS, dismissal, demotion or a combination of the above...

[GannonFan]

Negative. It's the legislators that don't know how to effectively manage money that has led to our infrastructure problems. The answer isn't always "more money," sometimes it's to work smarter not harder.

I would not limit this to legislators, who share blame, but more blame seems to lie with the executive branch that actually manages the expenditures of the money through antiquated and ineffective procedures, as well as overseeing diversions of funds, both those made by the legislature and those made by the executive branch. Of course standing up and blowing the whistle is probably a great way to become the target of a law suit by the Justice Department, a tax audit by the IRS, dismissal, demotion or a combination of the above...

I always find it odd, though, that these infrastructure projects tend to take increasingly longer and longer to accomplish, cost more and more, and seeminly employ less and less people each year. A 10 mile road widening project near where I live, making a 4 lane highway into a 6 lane and needed 5 bridges replaced to accomplish it, will take upwards to 12 years to finish. Granted, I don't watch the work 24-7 and work like this also involves work off-site, but it seems like there's never more than a handful of people at work on the job site, which isn't surprising considering the duration of the project (less than a mile a year). If we're pumping money into this sector, it doesn't seem to be percolating down to progress or jobs.

[ASUMountaineer]

Negative. It's the legislators that don't know how to effectively manage money that has led to our infrastructure problems. The answer isn't always "more money," sometimes it's to work smarter not harder.

I would not limit this to legislators, who share blame, but more blame seems to lie with the executive branch that actually manages the expenditures of the money through antiquated and ineffective procedures, as well as overseeing diversions of funds, both those made by the legislature and those made by the executive branch. Of course standing up and blowing the whistle is probably a great way to become the target of a law suit by the Justice Department, a tax audit by the IRS, dismissal, demotion or a combination of the above...

Agreed.

[Ibanez]

I would not limit this to legislators, who share blame, but more blame seems to lie with the executive branch that actually manages the expenditures of the money through antiquated and ineffective procedures, as well as overseeing diversions of funds, both those made by the legislature and those made by the executive branch. Of course standing up and blowing the whistle is probably a great way to become the target of a law suit by the Justice Department, a tax audit by the IRS, dismissal, demotion or a combination of the above...

I always find it odd, though, that these infrastructure projects tend to take increasingly longer and longer to accomplish, cost more and more, and seeminly employ less and less people each year. A 10 mile road widening project near where I live, making a 4 lane highway into a 6 lane and needed 5 bridges replaced to accomplish it, will take upwards to 12 years to finish. Granted, I don't watch the work 24-7 and work like this also involves work off-site, but it seems like there's never more than a handful of people at work on the job site, which isn't surprising considering the duration of the project (less than a mile a year). If we're pumping money into this sector, it doesn't seem to be percolating down to progress or jobs.

We had 12 miles of interstate widen from 3 to 4 lanes with 2 overpasses replaced and 1 added and a few new on/off ramps added. It took 2 years. The DOT and the company worked from 6 pm to about 7am, only breaking for holidays. there was a 1 month break due to funding, but the project finished a few weeks behind schedule.

[Grizalltheway]

I would not limit this to legislators, who share blame, but more blame seems to lie with the executive branch that actually manages the expenditures of the money through antiquated and ineffective procedures, as well as overseeing diversions of funds, both those made by the legislature and those made by the executive branch. Of course standing up and blowing the whistle is probably a great way to become the target of a law suit by the Justice Department, a tax audit by the IRS, dismissal, demotion or a combination of the above...

I always find it odd, though, that these infrastructure projects tend to take increasingly longer and longer to accomplish, cost more and more, and seeminly employ less and less people each year. A 10 mile road widening project near where I live, making a 4 lane highway into a 6 lane and needed 5 bridges replaced to accomplish it, will take upwards to 12 years to finish. Granted, I don't watch the work 24-7 and work like this also involves work off-site, but it seems like there's never more than a handful of people at work on the job site, which isn't surprising considering the duration of the project (less than a mile a year). If we're pumping money into this sector, it doesn't seem to be percolating down to progress or jobs.

Can't say for certain, but I think it probably has due with the allocation of the funding; i.e. they can only get enough money to complete x number of miles of a project each year, so they have to spread it out over multiple years.

[kalm]

I always find it odd, though, that these infrastructure projects tend to take increasingly longer and longer to accomplish, cost more and more, and seeminly employ less and less people each year. A 10 mile road widening project near where I live, making a 4 lane highway into a 6 lane and needed 5 bridges replaced to accomplish it, will take upwards to 12 years to finish. Granted, I don't watch the work 24-7 and work like this also involves work off-site, but it seems like there's never more than a handful of people at work on the job site, which isn't surprising considering the duration of the project (less than a mile a year). If we're pumping money into this sector, it doesn't seem to be percolating down to progress or jobs.

Can't say for certain, but I think it probably has due with the allocation of the funding; i.e. they can only get enough money to complete x number of miles of a project each year, so they have to spread it out over multiple years.

Which speaks back to LB and Ganny's points. Yee gad, I find myself agreeing with LB and Ganny.

[LeadBolt]

Can't say for certain, but I think it probably has due with the allocation of the funding; i.e. they can only get enough money to complete x number of miles of a project each year, so they have to spread it out over multiple years.

Which speaks back to LB and Ganny's points. Yee gad, I find myself agreeing with LB and Ganny.

Take 4 sleeping pills, with a 8 oz. of straight Scotch and call us in the morning. You'll be like new.