Google Sought To Hide Political Dealmaking

A blog entry by Michael Kanellos at ZDNet links to and expands upon an article in the Charlotte Observer. Last year Google was apparently throwing its weight around in North Carolina, seeking tax breaks from state and local legislators. When the company didn't get what it wanted pressure was brought to bear on legislative aides, journalists, and politicians. The search giant was especially touchy about keeping the negotiations secret: "Executives didn't want anybody even to mention the company's name for fear that competitors could learn of its plans. Most involved with the negotiations were required to sign nondisclosure agreements ... That posed challenges for elected officials, charged with conducting the public's business in the open. As the tax measure wended its way through the legislature, some lawmakers began linking it to Google." The results of this deal are extremely lucrative for both sides. Google brought some $600 million in investment and as many as 200 jobs to the state, and legislation enacted with Google's help is projected to save the company some $89 million in taxes over 30 years.

Results 0 - 0 for search "backhander"

[LiquidCoooled]

Results 0 - 0 for search "backhander"

Did you mean to search for "Tax evasion"?

Re:Just be a little evil

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, I got "Results 1 - 10 of about 5,860,000 for google corruption. (0.03 seconds)"

so clearly they are reading Slashdot and adjusting the results in real time.

(do I really have to put a </joke> tag on this? please please can we assume intelligence on the internet? Good point.)

Re:Um

[suv4x4]

Can we just all agree that Google is about as evil as the average corporation now? Or do some of you still believe that Google really is above the rest morally?

Not until they don't change their slogan! It'll be too confusing otherwise.

Re:Just be a little evil

[QuickFox]

please please can we assume intelligence on the internet?

Come on, be realistic. This is Slashdot! We're all superintelligent here, but Aspieishly incapable of distinguishing a joke from a serious statement.

Which reminds me, you didn't explain whether it was your Google hit count or your conclusion that was a joke.

Re:Um

[canUbeleiveIT]

<sarcasm>I'm sorry, that's just not true. Everyone knows that there is no anti-MS bias on slashdot.</sarcasm>

If it were MS, the headline would have read, "Bill Gates Diabolically Subverts Democracy"

do no evil

[spottedkangaroo]

Do no evil!!!! Unless you're in china or in politics, cuz then you're just trying to fit in. Right? Right?

Carlotte?

[Ka D'Argo]

As a resident of "Carlotte", North Carolina my entire 25 years on this Earth, I gotta let you in on a secret; we named it Charlotte. What is this "Carlotte" you speak of? ;p