INCOME TAX

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

INCOME TAX [Abstract]

INCOME TAX

3.  INCOME TAX

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 24.0% and 26.3%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 28.8% and 26.3%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to U.S. state income tax expense, expenses that are nondeductible for tax purposes, the change in our valuation allowance associated with our deferred tax assets, and differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions.