Paula Burkes, The Oklahoman

Paula Burkes

The Oklahoman

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Recent:
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Past:
  • The Oklahoman

Past articles by Paula:

French Lick, Indiana, has medicinal waters, luxury hotels and a presidential past

Visitors to French Lick, Indiana, can learn all about its connections to Lincoln, Larry Bird and tomato juice. → Read More

6 ‘crazy eight’ mainstays, 18 newbies make 2020 Top Workplaces List

DEC 7, 2020 - There are six “crazy eights” among this year’s Top Workplaces winners. That is, six companies have made the list every year since the contest’s 2013 debut. Meanwhile, the 2020 list includes 18 newcomers from nearly as many industries. Among the 21 organizations on this year’s list of companies that employ 350 or more, three are eight-time winners: No. 1-ranked Paycom Software Inc.;… → Read More

New law provides immunity from certain COVID-19 civil liability claims

What does Senate Bill 1946 do? Senate Bill 1946 provides immunity from civil liability for certain claims in state court relating to an individual’s alleged exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19. There are exceptions to the law. To successfully defend against a claim alleging that an individual was exposed or potentially exposed to COVID-19, a business or individual must have been following… → Read More

'No deal' Brexit currently looking like a good deal for U.S. owners of trademarks in Europe

APR 15, 2020 - A number of Oklahoma companies market and sell products in Europe and own trademarks in the European Union. What impact will Brexit have on them? When the EU began offering Community (or EU) Trademarks back in 1995, lots of folks doing business in Europe took advantage of this “one stop” opportunity to file one trademark and get it protected in all the EU countries — including the… → Read More

Odd coincidence links Murrah, Boston bombings for columnist

Business writer and native Oklahoman Paula Burkes lived in Boston when the Murrah Building was bombed, and had moved back home when her “second hometown” was bombed during the Boston Marathon, a race she’s run three times. → Read More

New law allows new 401(k) distributions and loans

I understand the new CARES Act allows new 401(k) distributions and increased 401(k) loans? That is correct. On Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In addition to the numerous financial incentives provided to individuals and businesses, the CARES Act allows certain qualified retirement plan participants,… → Read More

Trade talk: Only 1 in 4 could pay $1,000 emergency expense from savings

Do you have enough savings to cover a $1,000 car repair or emergency room visit? If not, you’re far from alone. Only 41% of U.S. adults have such liquid funds available for use. That’s based on 1,015 responses to a recent nationwide telephone survey conducted by SSR Omnibus for New York-based Bankrate.com. Thirty-seven percent of adults said they'd need to borrow the money — whether through… → Read More

To draw Social Security benefits, recipients need at least 10 years of work

When are you eligible for Social Security benefits? When you are employed and paying Social Security taxes, you will earn up to four “credits” per year. These credits are based on the total wages and self-employment income reported during a calendar year. The amount of earnings required for one credit in 2020 is $1,410. To earn the maximum credit, you must earn $5,640. “Quarter of coverage” is… → Read More

Q&A with Denver Kitch: Medical marijuana cultivator has a 'no-jerks' rule — seriously

What are the leading skills or traits you seek in employees? We work in an environment which has been newly legalized, meaning that no employees have legal experience in our industry. So we can't seek out specific cannabis cultivation skills per se. More important to us to seek out individuals who match what we call the "Stability Vibe." The definition of that is initiative, cooperation, hard… → Read More

Time is now to make 2020 health insurance selections

When do you need to select your health care coverage for 2020? The window for selecting health care coverage is open, but closing soon. Now is the time to review your options for 2020 health insurance and select a plan that best fits your needs. Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) enrollment opened Nov. 1 and closes Dec. 15. It may be accessed at HealthCare.gov. If, however, you have health… → Read More

Businesses should plan now for the holiday season

Where should businesses start when it comes to their holiday planning? Form a plan! For businesses, it is really important to lay out a roadmap, if you will, to help them establish a game plan for the holidays. BBB recommends starting to look at what kind of sales/promotions your business will offer during the holidays and work on creating printed materials and digital advertising at least two… → Read More

Trade talk: Say 'No' to store credit cards this holiday season

Store credit cards are carrying sky-high annual percentage rates. Yet, the consumer demand for them is higher than ever. Such are the findings of comparecards.com, which recently reported the average annual percentage rate for store cards is 25.41%, and of the eight in 10 Americans who have or have had a store card, 46% regret it. But nearly one in three Americans — mainly parents with kids… → Read More

Businesses can take steps to avoid closure due to delinquent taxes

Businesses in Oklahoma are notified three times within a 24-month period if they fail to timely file and pay sales tax. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is then authorized by state statute to the close business, as occurred last week with some Church's Chicken restaurants. → Read More