What is the first duty of the American Government?  In this episode, Ben talks about what protecting Americans means—starting with strong national defense, strong national security, and keeping criminals off our streets.  At last week’s State of the Union, when President Trump asked members of Congress to stand if they agree the first duty of the American Government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens, one party stood and applauded and the other remained in their seats.  This stark difference in values is not isolated to what the world witnessed at last week’s SOTU—We are consistently seeing it throughout the country in all levels of government.  The receipts illustrate this pattern of priority, and Ben digs into the voting records of current members of Congress and one candidate from MO-01 looking to reclaim her old house seat in this years election.  What should be the bare minimum when holding office in the American Government? Is it serving, protecting and making a difference for the American People?  You decide.  And remember when you head to the polls this election season.  

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

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“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://www.congress.gov/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/

https://x.com/CoriBush

On this episode, Ben highlights just a handful of items we have lived on a federal level impacting many across the country, including here in the St. Louis region.  Also, with the Missouri House and Senate back in session, one topic coming out of Jefferson City is the elimination of the state income tax, Ben reviews updates on a county and municipal level, and breaks down former congresswoman Cori Bush’s platform and her voting record as she looks to reclaim her seat in Congress.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://bea.gov

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/missouri-income-tax-debate-draws-supporters-critics-to-capitol/

https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/sales-tax-rates/

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/credit-rating-down-as-result-of-depleted-reserves/article_1e5f845d-0caa-4ce0-af34-f91d92ca191f.html

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/proposed-budget-includes-5-water-rate-increase/article_6a03d327-f84d-4a6a-ba47-19e73779e10e.html

https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2025-09-24/st-louis-cancels-north-south-metrolink-expansion-project

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/webster-groves-city-manager-to-resign-effective-april-3-former-fire-chief-speaks-out-about/article_a5cdd01c-460f-4f7d-969b-f4c2dabda027.html

https://www.congress.gov/votes/house/118-2/121

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6408

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8205

https://www.congress.gov/votes/house/118-2/454

On this episode, Ben recaps recent council meeting, including the St. Louis County Council where Sam Page requested supplemental funding just 6 days into the year, and Webster Groves tabled proposed sales tax increases.  Candidates are announcing, including St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman who is looking to becoming the next County Executive, and some of Cori Bush’s recent posts on X are fact checked.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

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Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://stlouisco.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=26478

https://boxcast.tv/channel/wdeojvfau9uqc9qt6k8z?b=pkqmit4qkkwotmqemdkd

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/jake-zimmerman-joins-race-for-st-louis-county-executive/

https://www.stlmag.com/news/where-are-they-now-st-louis/

https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-business-government-and-politics-1c6eac1d893cf8968aa5ca907cb08c98

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/former-st-louis-county-executive-seven-v-stenger-sentenced-federal-prison-pay-play

https://mec.mo.gov/#gsc.tab=0

https://fox2now.com/news/national/what-to-know-about-trump-administration-freezing-federal-child-care-funds/

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665617/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-charges

The St. Louis County Council has approved its 2026 budget, cutting $48 million from County Executive Sam Page’s original proposal—without reducing services or eliminating jobs.  The vote wasn’t unanimous, however, as the budget passed 6-1.  In this episode, Ben breaks down how the budget came together, what was cut, and why one council member voted no.

Plus, County Executive Sam Page announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, and the Webster Groves City Council delayed its decision on whether to place a proposed sales tax increase—potentially raising the rate to nearly 10%—on April’s ballot until January.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/st-louis-county-council-passes-2026-budget-backlash-from-county-executive-remains/63-a9c6219d-6ee7-4bab-ad87-1bc365c9981b

https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-12-16/page-warns-of-unintended-consequences-as-st-louis-county-adopts-2026-budget-with-48m-in-cuts

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/st-louis-county-council-proposes-budget-cuts-chipping-away-at-81-million-dollar-deficit/63-11577ff5-7148-4c99-8a78-e0f5b754b47f

https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/county-council/

https://stlouisco.civicweb.net/Portal/VotingRecords.aspx?memberId=31&meetingTypeId=10&attendance=1

https://stlouisco.civicweb.net/Portal/VotingRecords.aspx?memberId=31&meetingTypeId=10&voting=1

On this episode, Ben talks about St. Louis County’s budget issue that is heating up and  the work the council is doing to pull the county back from the bankruptcy cliff, fiscal topics coming up in the City of St. Louis and its failed Green Line project, and more tax increases being proposed in Webster Groves to cover the city’s massive budget deficit.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/st-louis-county-new-logo-launch-opportunity-central-marketing-campaign/63-6feb82e5-b278-4e6a-8783-71ce4cde36ae

https://www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/2025-12-12/st-louis-aldermen-pass-earnings-tax-vote-election-bills

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/budget/documents/upload/Earnings-Tax-Presentation-to-Budget-Committee-11-19-25.pdf

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/webster-groves-eyes-two-new-sales-tax-increases/

https://webstergrovesmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13565/FY26-ADOPTED-BUDGET?bidId=

https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2025-09-24/st-louis-cancels-north-south-metrolink-expansion-project

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/96m-transit-tax-sparks-showdown-at-st-louis-city-hall/63-a2ec467e-f768-4bae-9627-44c8183a7657

St. Louis County’s budget deficit has ballooned to $80 million, and county executive Sam Page is pitching a mix of tax increases and NFL settlement dollars to plug the hole.  But the numbers don’t add up—especially when you account for his massive 2026 budget, which more than doubles the current deficit. The proposed tax hikes fall short of covering the long-term shortfall, and the settlement funds are a one-time fix that can’t sustain the county’s financial needs.  This episode breaks down the math, the politics, and what it all means for the county’s future.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2025-11-17/st-louis-county-council-chairwoman-days-sees-dire-budgetary-trajectory

https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/revenue/collector-of-revenue/collector-of-revenue-faqs/delinquent-property-tax-information/

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/st-louis-county-executive-proposes-59m-from-rams-settlement-for-budget-shortfall/

https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/fiscal-transparency/budgets/2025-recommended-budget1/

From New York to Virginia, and up to Chicago - Democrat-run cities, and democrats winning on the ballot are making headlines for the following reasons: socialist policies, extreme rhetoric, high tax proposals leaving business leaders and residents wondering what their future will look like.  But what happens when those same trends start showing up closer to home?

On this episode, Ben breaks down what is going on around the country, and draws a straight line back to St. Louis, where democrats here control St. Louis city, and St. Louis County, and we an extreme progressive running for Congress in MO-01.  Could what we are seeing unfolding around the country happen here?  These are the facts, take them and form your own opinion.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

https://peoplenotpoliticiansmo.org/#about

https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-signs-missouri-first-map-law

https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-signs-missouri-first-map-law

https://www.kmbc.com/article/missouri-redistricting-dark-money-lawsuit-congressional-map-petition/69064623

https://taxfoundation.org/blog/chicago-head-tax-social-media-tax-cloud-tax/

https://www.wbez.org/springfield/2025/11/03/mass-transit-funding-legislation-chicago-illinois-general-assembly-fiscal-cliff-cta-metra-pace

This week, we dive into updates from Sam Page’s ongoing legal case and his lawyers’ call to dismiss the case, and what Cori Bush wasn’t doing while representing her district in Congress. The records, the court filings, the voting history all speak for themselves.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

• https://www.firstalert4.com/2024/07/03/first-alert-4-fact-check-wesley-bells-ad-cori-bushs-voting-record/

• https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/city-sued-cori-bush-unpaid-taxes-dismissed-months-missed-notices/63-aa8e4d91-828f-4cb1-8a1b-f731d1d091ea
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrGjCtwx-yE
• https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/news/2025/10/22/page-lawyers-want-case-dismissed
• https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/appeals-court-sides-with-parson-over-page-to-appoint-stl-county-prosecuting-attorney/amp/
• https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/city-sued-cori-bush-unpaid-taxes-dismissed-months-missed-notices/63-aa8e4d91-828f-4cb1-8a1b-f731d1d091ea
• https://x.com/CoriBush

The federal government shutdown is having a massive impact on Missouri, Cori Bush’s record doesn’t add up, and the St. Louis Sheriff is sitting in jail.  On this episode, Ben shares the numbers of the shutdown impact, goes deeper into former Congresswoman and now candidate Cori Bush’s platform and positions, and gives a play by play of the allegations that kept St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from walking out of court this past week.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

• https://slmpd.org/stats/

• https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/survey-22-say-no-one-shows-up-to-city-911-calls-st-louis-mayor-tishaura-jones-defends-record-on-homelessness-and-public-safety/63-3d51fab8-95a9-4afb-8835-b99583096b3c
• https://www.foxnews.com/politics/squad-dem-launches-comeback-bid-after-anti-israel-views-torpedoed-campaign-we-need-fighter
• https://www.foxnews.com/politics/unearthed-records-torpedo-cori-bushs-new-claim-billions-funding-she-delivered-district
• https://www.foxnews.com/politics/unearthed-records-torpedo-cori-bushs-new-claim-billions-funding-she-delivered-district
• https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2021/04/19/reminder-dems-green-new-deal-tax-hikes-will-cost-american-families-up-to-65000-per-year/
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/st-louis-sheriff-indicted-civil-rights-charge
• https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/st-louis-sheriff-alfred-montgomery-now-in-custody-over-federal-charges/
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/government-shutdown-clock/
• https://x.com/CoriBush/status/1979347737003917530

On Tuesday October 7th, 2025, the Webster Groves City Council adopted the Webster Groves Comprehensive Plan 2025.  With the last plan dating back to 1978, there was a desire to update it, and in this episode Ben breaks the surface on what this plan is all about, it’s goals and objectives, and shares that facts that are included in this “visionary roadmap designed to guide the community’s physical, economic, and social landscape over the next 10 to 20 years”.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!

Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershow

Following the show on X @benbroghammer

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms

“Just the Facts!”

Topic Sources:

• https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/100/Budget
• https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/798/Comprehensive-Plan-2025
• https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/city-projects-budget-shortfall-of-1-2-million/article_df058478-a076-49b0-b691-e7db4d5f976d.html
• https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/05/07/due-uncertain-economy-webster-groves-considering-tax-hike/
• https://www.metrostlouis.org/