Gene Marks
Columns by Gene Marks
What really happens If the U.S. can’t pay its bills?
When you run a business, you're constantly trying to look ahead. You make decisions now on hiring, spending and investing that will position your company to either grow or just weather the storm. You know you can't control the future. But you can take some measures to protect your interests and lower your risks. Published June 27, 2024
Restaurant owners indicate stronger support for Trump
A recent informal poll at a National Restaurant Association conference revealed this bit of non-news: By a 2-to-1 margin, the 600 restaurant owners in attendance said they favored former President Donald Trump. Published May 13, 2024
Minimum wage: What’s the right number?
This month, California's minimum wage for fast-food workers will increase from $16 to $20 per hour. Published April 1, 2024
As an accountant, I love the proposed taxes on unrealized gains
Recent reports say that the state of Vermont is considering a new tax on unrealized gains. Published February 28, 2024
Four reasons companies should ignore the DOL’s new worker classification rule
A new rule from the Department of Labor goes into effect on March 11th, and it will have a significant impact on my company and millions of other businesses around the country. Published January 29, 2024
Happy New Year? Blue states to start 2024 with a bunch of new business regulations
I'm not sure 2024 will be a very happy new year for businesses in blue states. Published December 28, 2023
Why Starbucks workers are rejecting unionization
If you worked at a Starbucks, would you be so eager to join a union? Published November 27, 2023
It’s illegal to fire an employee who refuses to come to the office
Business owners who require employees to return to the office could face scrutiny by the National Labor Relations Board if an employee refuses, complains and is fired. Published October 24, 2023
The era of the worker: Strikes are making a comeback, with potential ramifications
We've had both new and proposed rules and laws to increase overtime pay, reclassify more independent contractors as employees, remove noncompete agreements and require pay transparency. Published October 9, 2023
Small businesses struggle to keep up with Washington regulatory edicts
Is the Biden administration anti-business? That's certainly something to be debated over dinner. Published September 4, 2023
SBA should be tasked only with providing capital to small businesses
I believe that Isabel Guzman is one of the hardest-working people in the U.S. government. Published July 31, 2023
The next phase of remote working: In the office only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays And Thursdays
Ask any of my clients who own businesses and they'll tell you that it is better when their employees work in their offices than when they work from home. Better for the companies. Better for the employees. Published June 28, 2023
American businesses face two huge tax increases this year
To pay for the trillions of dollars in spending the Biden administration has overseen over the past two years, President Biden has been advocating tax increases, particularly on the "wealthy" and corporations. Published May 29, 2023
Biden demonizes small-business owners
Over the past few years, President Biden has introduced tax proposals that he stresses to say are targeted at "the wealthy." Published April 26, 2023
Companies nationwide being hit with tsunami of regulations
According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, small-business optimism is now at its lowest level in the past 10 years. Published April 3, 2023
Why U.S. is due for recession this year
Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics published its consumer price index, which, at a 6.4% annual rate, was more than most economists expected. Published February 22, 2023
Santos’ appointment to House Committee on Small Business is disgraceful
I am flabbergasted. Astonished. Stunned. Appalled. George Santos, the Republican House representative from New York, is now a member of the House Committee on Small Business. Published January 30, 2023
Big businesses have begun ‘cutting the fat’
When Elon Musk took over Twitter, many employees either left or were terminated. Published January 9, 2023
Millions of work-from-home employees stole from their employers
Ever wonder why Elon Musk is so adamant about people coming into the office? Published December 8, 2022
The 2023 costly regulatory wave
The midterms are over, and the expected "red wave" of Republican victories never materialized. Published November 21, 2022
