The Ben Broghammer Show

Broghammer Media

The Ben Broghammer show is rooted in facts, and is about our community, the issues, and sharing them with the people that they impact the most—you. Focusing on St. Louis politics, the show will dive into the impact local government and the decisions made on a state and federal level have on us here at home. This show talks about it all— always presenting the facts—unaltered, unfiltered, and unintimidated—allowing you to form your own opinions.

  1. The $2.6 Million Question

    Jun 2

    The $2.6 Million Question

    In this episode, Ben breaks down the proposed Webster Groves Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which begins July 1, 2026, and examines what it means for residents, business owners, and taxpayers. With nearly 250 pages of financial data, capital projects, revenue forecasts, and spending plans, the budget can feel overwhelming.  This episode walks through the key numbers, including a projected $2.6 million deficit, planned use of reserves funds, major capital improvement projects, employee compensation increases, grant-funded initiatives with hidden costs, and the city’s long-term financial outlook. You’ll hear where city revenue comes from, where taxpayer dollars are being spent, and why questions surrounding economic growth, infrastructure investments, and future funding deserve public attention. Whether you support the budget, oppose it, pr simply want to better understand how local government operates, this episode provides a detailed look at the facts behind one of the most important decisions facing Webster Groves this year. Resources discussed in this episode, including the full budget document and supporting materials, are linked below. 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/DocumentCenter/View/15309/Proposed-Budget-Book---FY-2027

    32 min
  2. Economic Attraction & Government Accountability

    May 13

    Economic Attraction & Government Accountability

    Missouri is facing a major debate over eliminating the state income tax, and voters will soon decide the future of taxes, government spending, and economic growth in the state. In this episode, Ben breaks down proposed tax changes, compares Missouri to no-income-tax states like Tennessee, Texas, and Florida, and examines the political divide over affordability, immigration, healthcare, and the economy heading into the midterms.  Ben discusses Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District race, local controversies on the municipal level involving a major road project, and local school district education policy and tax payer accountability. From our nation’s capital, to Jefferson City, to local city halls, this episode covers the decisions shaping our 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://missouriindependent.com/2026/04/21/plan-to-replace-missouri-income-tax-with-expanded-sales-tax-heads-to-voters/ https://taxfoundation.org/location/missouri/ https://bea.gov https://www.facebook.com/GovKehoe/videos/all-missourians-benefit-from-having-more-of-their-hard-earned-money-back-in-thei/1255681886694411/ https://apnews.com/article/income-tax-repeal-missouri-sales-ballot-9d0e1d42d8b8bdea2703ce363eee0926 https://annwagner.com/ https://wagner.house.gov/ https://www.stlmag.com/news/nick-vivio-congress-medical-debt/ https://www.vondrasforcongress.us/issues https://www.crevecoeurmo.gov/255/Election-Sign-Regulations https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025190 https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00372.htm#position https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/01/29/president-trump-signs-laken-riley-act-law https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/

    29 min
  3. Local Involvement Matters!

    Apr 30

    Local Involvement Matters!

    Local matters.  Local is vital.  Ben focuses on the municipal happenings within St. Louis County, starting with election results from April 7, and widens the lens to themes of what we are seeing in communities across the county, and the impact of local involvement. 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://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/board-of-elections/ https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ece240c271ac4adba33eb43d9a317dc6 https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/audit-shows-1-9-million-surplus-for-fiscal-year-2025/article_5ba1c814-1597-43bd-896b-5a19fa415ae7.html https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13582/Comprehensive-Plan https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/mayor-council-members-sworn-into-office/article_ac3d6eb2-f843-42d0-a455-1e3149eb426e.html https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/mayor-unopposed-two-new-council-members-to-serve/article_eeedeedc-8399-4761-b99e-7eb1554c6407.html https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/city-manager-awarded-138-123-in-severance-pay/article_8190d2c8-12e8-4acf-ad04-379f66718825.html https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/data-center-permit-approved.cfm https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-04-08/6b-data-center-festus-voters-oust-every-incumbent-council-member https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/data-center-dispute-and-treasurer-ballot-error-shadow-festus-city-council/63-33a107da-7321-4264-80aa-0a6c7bc3fbf7

    14 min
  4. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

    Mar 5

    Actions Speak Louder Than Words

    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! 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.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

    42 min
  5. Success Should Be Celebrated!

    Feb 17

    Success Should Be Celebrated!

    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

    36 min
  6. It's All In The Details

    12/21/2025

    It's All In The Details

    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

    20 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Ben Broghammer show is rooted in facts, and is about our community, the issues, and sharing them with the people that they impact the most—you. Focusing on St. Louis politics, the show will dive into the impact local government and the decisions made on a state and federal level have on us here at home. This show talks about it all— always presenting the facts—unaltered, unfiltered, and unintimidated—allowing you to form your own opinions.