Fiat Chrysler on Saturday announced the sudden resignation of longtime CEO Sergio Marchionne, who is stepping down due to complications from surgery. Questions: 1. Who will be replacing Sergio? 2. When Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy in 2009, what happened? 3. What’s the outlook for Dodge and Chrysler? 4. What’s going on with current Fiat sales?… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Income Taxes
Stagnant Wages
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages fell over the last year for ordinary, non-management workers. This is further evidence that companies are managing to avoid paying amid one of the tightest labor markets in decades. Questions: 1. What was the fall in wages from June 2017 to June 2018? 2. In two sentences,… Read more »
A Change in the Collection of Sales Tax
According to Slate, the Supreme Court dragged a bit of American tax law into the 21st century when they ruled that states could force all online retailers to collect sales taxes, even if they lack a physical presence there. Questions: 1. Do you think the ruling will change buying habits? Explain. 2. What case was… Read more »
RIP – Coca-Cola Quietly Snuffs out Diet Coke Variations
If you were a fan of Diet Coke’s variations of lime, lemon, mango, orange, and cherry, they have been quietly phased out of stores and online. Questions: 1. When were the products launched? (click on the hyperlink in the article which says: “massive overhaul of Diet Coke”) 2. The move was made to attract millenials…. Read more »
The Naming of “Meat Grown in a Lab”
The name of “meat grown in a lab” has not yet been decided by regulators, but has sparked a war of words between animal rights advocates and cattle ranchers. Questions: 1. What is the problem with calling it “Clean Meat”? 2. What has the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association done to eliminate problems for its producers in… Read more »
Move along now, no data here.
Mick Mulvaney, the acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), told bankers that he is not required to post data on banking institutions that violate the rules or receive significant complaints. Questions: 1. Do you agree with the removal of these types of data from the government websites? Why or why not? 2…. Read more »
A Not-for-Profit Billion Dollar Business
As the incident of the recent separation of some 2,300 migrant children from their families unfolded, we learned that the nonprofit, Southwest Key Programs, won more than $1 billion in federal contracts since 2015 to run shelters and/or provide other services to immigrant children in federal custody. Questions: 1. About how many contractors operate more… Read more »
Change is coming
Change is coming for a small but blooming corner of the marijuana industry. Questions: 1. What is CBD? 2. Why will regulation change the industry? 3. What are some of the legal grey area with unregulated products? 4. What was the most interesting part of this article for you? Source: Brodwin, E. (2018). There’s a… Read more »
What could go wrong?
General Motors and Volvo have partnered with Amazon to deliver packages to car trunks in 37 U.S. cities, as the e-commerce giant seeks new delivery methods for customers who may be wary of leaving packages outside or allowing couriers into their homes. Questions: 1. What are some of the security concerns? 2. This project follows… Read more »
The Gig’s Up….Maybe
According to Ed Kilgore, California, has by virtue of a decision by its Supreme Court adopted perhaps the toughest standard in the country for employer treatment of its basic human capital as contractors. In particular, it affects the “gig economy” model, notably California-based enterprises like Uber and Lyft, which treat their drivers as independent contractors…. Read more »