Kicking things off, the guys take a look back at pivotal moments in history—the anniversary of the first atomic bomb test (Trinity, 1945) and the publication of "The Catcher in the Rye." Using these milestones as a springboard, they dive into complex conversations around historical context, the ethics of censorship, and the importance of critical thought, especially when it comes to education and banning controversial books.

The episode quickly turns to Ohio’s current headlines—Governor DeWine’s massive veto override showdown, the debate over eliminating property taxes, and what flat taxes or major spending cuts could mean for Buckeye State residents. Tempers flare over government spending and what it would really take to balance Ohio’s budget: Should taxpayers brace for higher sales taxes, or is it finally time to cut government excess?

On the national front, the hosts break down a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the president’s authority to hire and fire executive branch workers, and what that means for government accountability. Plus, they call out the double standards when government vs. private sector jobs are on the line and reflect on the massive challenges of getting meaningful spending cuts through Congress.

Finally, they sound the alarm on the rise of deepfake videos and AI-generated content, sharing why this technology poses a real threat to public discourse and personal reputations. With stories that range from viral Clint Eastwood hoaxes to the long shadow cast by social media, the guys urge listeners to sharpen their critical thinking and not fall for every meme or emotionally charged headline.

00:00 WWII Atrocities and Espionage

10:07 Banning Fuels Unhealthy Fascination

14:28 Southern Racial Ideology Pre-Civil War

18:45 Medicaid Expansion Controversy in Ohio

24:13 Ohio's Legislative Power Shift

29:38 Ohio Property Tax Reform Debate

32:51 Managing Personal Finances

39:25 "Public Funding for Biased Media?"

45:55 "Debating Trump Derangement Syndrome"

50:30 Deepfake Concerns Rise

58:19 Fatal Police Shooting: Pregnant Woman Killed

01:01:45 "Minivan Driver Causes Highway Pileup"

01:04:15 Salute to Military Families

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

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https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Welcome back to another episode of Common Sense Ohio! This week, Brett and Norm dive into a jam-packed agenda, tackling the confusion and controversy swirling around the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB) and its sweeping impact on everything from Medicaid work requirements to overtime tax exemptions and Social Security changes. The hosts pull back the curtain on how massive budget bills often bury major policy shifts with barely any time for lawmakers or the public to digest the details.

We also address the aftermath of the devastating Kerrville, Texas, flood, highlighting how tragedies are too quickly politicized, and reflect on the sad loss and confusion impacting hundreds of families. Plus, we look at ongoing drama surrounding the elusive Jeffrey Epstein client list, shake-up news from Elon Musk’s new “American Party,” and why JobsOhio’s secretive state contracts are raising eyebrows.

Closer to home, Brett and Norm break down the debate over pit bulls and public safety, the challenges facing Ohio’s middle class amidst rising property taxes, and troubling efforts to shield lawmakers’ emails and texts from public record requests.

With winners, losers, and some hard-hitting common sense, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the real stories behind today’s headlines—and how they hit home in Ohio and beyond.

A Big Thanks to our sponsor, Harper Plus Accounting. They provide more than just basic transactions, offering expert business consultation as well. They go beyond the basics, providing comprehensive advice on saving, planning, and optimizing taxes.

Moments

00:00 Medicaid Work Requirements Confusion

09:46 Social Security Tax Exemption Confusion

15:19 "Prioritize Recovery Over Investigations"

16:27 "Weather Service Staffing and Flood Response"

26:32 Theory on Epstein-Wexner Friendship

32:14 Strategic Senate Disruption Plan

34:30 Elon's Debt Reduction Strategy

40:03 Ohio Liquor Control Privatization Update

47:57 Governor DeWine Vetoes Property Tax Relief

52:32 Libertarian Views on Exotic Pets

58:12 Unintended Consequences of Big Cat Laws

01:01:11 "Driver Distracted Before Ohio Crash"

01:05:23 Supreme Court Backs Presidential Layoffs

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

This episode hits on everything from Supreme Court smackdowns to Ohio’s latest budget wrangling. Some fascinating historical context, legal insight, and yes, even a bit of humor about how our government actually works.

Here are 3 key takeaways that resonated with me:

• Judicial Power & Nationwide Injunctions: The Supreme Court’s recent decision hammered home a crucial point—allowing a single district judge to halt federal policy nationwide is a bad idea, no matter which side of the aisle you’re on. Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion (and the fiery back-and-forth with Ketanji Brown Jackson) is a reminder of just how critical it is to keep checks and balances intact.
• Budget Battles & Political Theater: Ohio’s “big and beautiful” budget bill is full of political give-and-take. Whether it’s debate over taxing H1B remittances, property tax relief, or flat tax reforms, the hosts highlighted how government spending (and the process to pass it) is often more about showmanship than substance.
• Understanding Our History—with Nuance: The episode underscored the importance of studying our country’s past honestly, including the complexities of the Founding Fathers and the long, painful arc of issues like slavery. Our modern debates about policy and social justice are richer (and fairer) when we confront history head-on, not through simplistic narratives.

Common Sense Moments

00:00 Reflecting on July 4th

08:17 Short-Sighted Statutes and Grant's Legacy

12:59 Injunctions as Legal Tools

20:04 Politicization of Supreme Court Nominations

23:57 Speech Restrictions and Content Discrimination

27:15 Defending Unpopular Cases and Challenges

34:15 Misleading Goods and Political Frustrations

41:10 Debt Compromise: A Necessary Choice

44:32 Ohio Budget: DeWine's 67 Vetoes

48:25 Ohio Property Tax Controversy

54:45 Ohio Property Tax Controversy

01:00:21 Tragic Crash: Truck Driver Sentenced

01:07:06 US Debt Crisis: Real Cuts Needed

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

A Big Thanks to our sponsor, Harper Plus Accounting. They provide more than just basic transactions, offering expert business consultation as well. They go beyond the basics, providing comprehensive advice on saving, planning, and optimizing taxes.

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.