ORO GRANDE, Calif. — Republicans have pitched their tax plan as an economic godsend that will offer deliverance from middling growth and set off a torrent of investment, hiring and raises. But at a quarry here in Southern California's high desert, the outcome doesn't look so straightforward.
The pit of rock belongs to CalPortland, which mines limestone to create the cement that goes into some of the country's most iconic stadiums and hotels. The company would hardly object to keeping a chunk of profits that currently goes to the government. But the extra cash probably wouldn't be enough for CalPortland to expand immediately in ways requiring serious hiring.
"Ten percent extra profit would be good," said Steven Regis, a senior vice president for corporate services at the company. "But it's not going to fund big projects."
Like executives across the country, Mr. Regis has spent the last few weeks scouring the House and Senate tax proposals for signs of hope for his industry — and new sources of pain.
Many economists are skeptical that the tax savings will transform business decisions. And when President Trump's chief economic adviser recently asked a room of chief executives whether lower taxes would prompt them to invest more, only a few hands shot up.
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Mr. Regis's deliberations suggest why those executives — especially at manufacturers like CalPortland, the companies at the core of Mr. Trump's vision for the economy — may have muted expectations.
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