Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
VIEWPOINT: Gender-Based Violence & the Workplace Policy Mandate Goes into Effect
It’s for bidders on NYS contracts As part of this year’s budget, New York State added Section 139-m to the State Finance Law, which requires bidders on competitive state procurements to certify that they have a written policy addressing gender-based violence and the workplace and that such policy meets certain requirements. The law went into effect […]

Ask Rusty: Consider the “Wearing Out” Factor in Deciding When to Claim SS
Dear Rusty: I enjoyed your recent articles on claiming Social Security (SS) benefits. I feel, however, any decision making should also include what I call the “wearing out” factor. Yes, financial need, health, and longevity are definite criteria for a decision. The inevitable problem (I just turned 83) is the speed at which many of
VIEWPOINT: Theory and Practice of Monetary Policy Implementation
The theme of [this article] is the theory and practice of monetary-policy implementation. Central banks differ in their objectives, strategies, and approaches to monetary-policy implementation — all of which influence how they supply reserves, manage balance sheets, and control short-term interest rates. But like Neapolitan and New York-style pizzas, central banks also share similarities. These

Ask Rusty: Do I Need to Sign Up for an Online Social Security Account?
Dear Rusty: I recently I heard the tail end of a radio program that was discussing “signing up for my Social Security account.” I am now 76 years old and have been receiving my Social Security (SS) monthly amount directly into a credit union account for years. Since the time when I applied to begin

Ask Rusty: How Do I Navigate the Social Security Maze?
Dear Rusty: I am a woman, turning 65 [soon]. It seems that deciding when to claim Social Security is complicated. I would like more information to navigate through this maze. Thank you. Signed: Ready to Claim Dear Ready to Claim: Deciding when to claim Social Security can be challenging, but we hope to make it
VIEWPOINT: Timing is Everything: Mapping Charitable-Giving Plans Under New Tax Law
It’s never been easy to navigate the ever-shifting tax rules around charitable giving, and now it’s even trickier. Major changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, are creating complexity, opportunity, and, for some, urgency. The OBBBA reshapes both how much you can deduct for charitable contributions
VIEWPOINT: Strategy Without a Soul: When Marketing Leads Without Brand Strategy
You’re launching campaigns, hitting deadlines, and filling the pipeline. On paper, things look great. But something’s off. Internal-messaging debates keep resurfacing. Campaigns feel shallow and reactive instead of resonant and on-point. Ask people what the brand stands for, and you get different answers from each. These are classic signs your marketing is outpacing your brand

Ask Rusty: Should I Take Social Security Now, or at age 70?
Dear Rusty: I was born in April 1958, and my plan has been to take my Social Security (SS) at age 70. However, my sister-in-law says that it is smarter to take it now while I am still working. I will be 70 in 2.5 years. Her husband collects his SS and has kept working.
VIEWPOINT: From Startup to Long-Term Success: How SBA Loans Can Help Businesses Grow
The journey to becoming a small-business owner is challenging yet rewarding. Each stage of this endeavor has opportunities and obstacles — from planning and development to launch and expansion. Fortunately, there are valuable resources available to support and empower entrepreneurs along the way. When you’re ready to scale your business, a loan with support from
VIEWPOINT: In Fight Over ACA Tax Credits, the Stakes are Lowest for NYS
As Washington, D.C. skirmishes over the future of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), New York State (NYS) has relatively little to gain or lose. The number of New Yorkers using any ACA credits, enhanced or not, stands at about 119,000 or 0.6 percent of the population, the lowest proportion of any
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.