> Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T* plans to invest an additional $1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus to more than 200,000 AT&T U.S. employees — all union-represented, non-management and front-line managers. If the President signs the bill before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays.
If you wonder why the tech industry seemingly has little political influence, despite having all the money, this is the reason. Money isn't the currency of politics, its jobs. AT&T and Alphabet spent about the same on lobbying last year (about $16 million). But AT&T can call up a red state or swing state Congressperson and say: "this issue is really important to us, and by the way, we've got 5,000 unionized workers in your district." Alphabet can't do that.
If you wonder why the tech industry seemingly has little political influence, despite having all the money, this is the reason. Money isn't the currency of politics, its jobs. AT&T and Alphabet spent about the same on lobbying last year (about $16 million). But AT&T can call up a red state or swing state Congressperson and say: "this issue is really important to us, and by the way, we've got 5,000 unionized workers in your district." Alphabet can't do that.