Common Sense Ohio

From debating the roots and realities of American immigration history and the evolving complexities of cultural assimilation, to unpacking the impact of the 1965 Immigration Act and discussing whether our system is truly as "systemically racist" as some claim, the conversation pulls no punches. We examine everything from the shifting demographics of immigration and the recent arrival of South Afri...

This story may be one of the unknowns to Ohioans, but we look into the hidden world of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), broken healthcare incentives, and the collapse of community pharmacies. We welcome Marty Schladen from Ohio Capital Journal back to the podcast. AND we took a detour through Ohio’s energy controversy and—yes—why Alcatraz is back in the headlines. 3 Key Takeaways: PBMs & Hidd...

The team kicks things off with historical reflections on George Washington's inauguration and the Louisiana Purchase before steering into current events, like the recent suspensions of judges in New Mexico and Wisconsin for shocking courtroom misconduct. You'll hear the hosts’ candid takes on the responsibilities that come with upholding the law, as they dissect what happens when those in power br...

We dive into some of the hottest issues facing Ohio and the nation. We kick things off with a lively discussion about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent “playing hooky” and what that means for Trump and parental rights in education—touching on a controversial Maryland case involving DEI-related curriculum opt-outs. We look at Ohio-specific stories, including Governor DeWine’s latest mental health ini...

We hope you're well and enjoying the spring sunshine! Here's a quick rundown of what Norm and Brett covered this week: Letitia James Fraud Allegations : The tables have turned as New York's Attorney General Letitia James finds herself under scrutiny. After prosecuting Trump, she's now facing accusations from the Federal Home Loan Administration regarding her own mortgage irregularities. Is it a ca...

Exciting updates from the latest episode of Common Sense Ohio! Dive into the complexities of Ohio's budget bill, intriguing sports funding policies, and significant changes in education laws. Here's what you missed: Budget & Economy : The volatility in the stock market reflects the broader economic landscape, highlighting the impact of U.S.-China trade relations and how only a small percentage...

We tackle a series of discussions shaping Ohio's political and economic landscape. We talk about President Trump's controversial tariffs and how they aim to reshape half a century of U.S. economic policy, with concerns about the impact on Ohio's economy. We also discuss Intel's broken contract with Ohio , raising questions about the state's investment and future job opportunities. We look at Ohio'...

Here's what we cover this week! School Vouchers and Civil Rights: Highlighting the introduction of school choice in Ohio, which is aimed at bringing educational opportunities to students in rural and poorer areas. This initiative is considered a civil rights issue, as it offers more portability for students to choose their schools. Automotive Foreign Tariffs: The impact of a newly announced 25% ta...

On today's show, we're discussing a hot topic sparking debates across the state and beyond: eliminating income taxes. We'll be exploring the advantages, potential pitfalls, and unintended consequences of this bold move. Hosts Steve Palmer and Brett Johnson are joined by Glenn Harper from Harper Plus Accounting to unpack the complexities. We look into how states like Florida and Texas manage to thr...

Hey there, Common Sense Ohio listeners! This week's episode was a rollercoaster of interesting topics. Kicking things off, we threw it way back to the first-ever jury verdict broadcast on TV. Yep, we're talking about Jack Ruby—did you know his real name was Jacob Rubinstein? But the big juicy part of the episode was all about—drum roll, please—Trump's tariffs. Steve wasn't fully on board with Trum...

Hey folks, Brett and Norm here, jumping into another week with Common Sense Ohio! Shoutout to Harper and Company CPAs Plus for keeping us financially savvy. Honestly, nothing like walking out of a meeting with those guys feeling like you’ve got your business game plan down for the quarter! Free speech on college campuses. Norm raises the flags on this shift from creating ‘safe zones’ to muzzling p...

We had the pleasure of welcoming Glenn Harper from Harper Plus Accounting. Our conversation focuses not just on taxes, but entrepreneurship and the complex landscape of financial management. We talk about the nitty-gritty of tax season—the looming monster that lurks at the edge of every April. We kick it off with why everyone should be paying attention to how tax policies and economic principles a...

The Real Issue with Economic Incentives : "A guy from Microsoft told the New York Times, you know, we don't look at these incentive deals when we're looking to locate somewhere because they've got all these other considerations." - Marty Schladen We welcome our guest, investigative journalist Marty Schladen from the Ohio Capital Journal, as we explore the origins, operations, and implications Jobs...

We get into a wide array of topics, starting with a nod to Valentine's Day and the historical significance of this day. Harper CPA Plus on website As our conversation unfolds, we tackle subjects ranging from the implications of Jim Tressel's potential political role in Ohio, insights into the Ukraine-Russia conflict, to the examination of government auditing and finance. We provide our takes on cu...

February's already breathing down our necks, and if you're here in Columbus, Ohio, like us, you'd know that means the Arnold Festival isn't far off. Steve kicked off today's episode immersing us in a bit of nostalgia with This Day in History, reflecting on when the Beatles first burst onto the American music scene in 1964. It was fascinating to think about the cultural shifts that Beatlemania ushe...

It was, the most wonderful, rewarding work of my life, also the most stressful work of my life. Being able to write that first page of history on whatever the topic was every day was something that it really takes the perspective of being away from it for a while to appreciate what you're you're into and doing every day. Because it's a very, breakneck speed business, even more so today than it was...

Our special guest is Greg Lawson from The Buckeye Institute! We talk about some riveting ideas they are proposing for Ohio's energy policies, higher education reform, and other critical topics shaping our state. Here are some key takeaways: Energy Policy Reform: Greg Lawson emphasized the potential of modular nuclear plants to meet Ohio's rising energy demands while maintaining a market-based appr...

We kick things off by dissecting the confirmation hearings of Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth. Norm doesn't hold back, slamming the hypocrisy of these political hearings where personal lives are dragged through the mud for sport, drawing comparisons to Brett Kavanaugh's infamous hearing. Steve then brings up a red-hot topic—California's response to wildfires and calls out Governor Gavin Newsom for his...

We kick off by addressing the ongoing California wildfires—exploring the devastating impact on communities and questioning public officials' management strategies. We don’t shy away from controversial opinions, criticizing the stringent rebuilding regulations and the financial burden this disaster places on taxpayers nationwide. Then, we look into the intricate legal landscape surrounding Donald T...

Join us as we tackle the pressing issues of national security and civil liberties amidst rising terrorism concerns. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Balancing Security and Freedom: We discuss how to effectively grant government authority to prevent terrorism while ensuring personal freedoms aren't compromised. This balance is critical to maintaining our democracy. Cultural Self-Reflection: There's a deep dive in...

Reflecting on 2024's major news and exploring significant predictions for 2025. News with Norm - Presidential Commutations: Norm talks about President Biden's recent commutation of federal death row sentences, putting a spotlight on the case of Daryl Lawrence from Ohio. This segment sparked a robust debate about the political and social implications, contrasting views on the death penalty, and pot...

Analyzing the potential impacts of a government shutdown on Ohio’s economy and workforce. Key Takeaways: 📉 State Pension Challenges: We look at the "upside down" state pension systems in states like California, Illinois, and New York. The hosts critique the proposal to add new state workers to Social Security instead of fixing the flawed pension systems, emphasizing a need for a sustainable solut...

Our focus is on the political landscape with discussions on U.S. immigration trends, Ohio's legislative maneuvers, and potential Republican replacements for Vance. We also critique the transparency of government actions and discuss Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's plans for Texas border protection. Be prepared for a segment on healthcare frustrations, including UnitedHealthcare's controversial claim den...

We tackle the high-profile legal case involving Daniel Penny and the intricacies of self-defense laws, drawing parallels to the famed Rittenhouse trial and classic vigilantism in films like "Dirty Harry." We also explore controversial legislation in Ohio and Tennessee that touches on everything from bathroom bills to transgender therapy for minors. The hosts break down the impact of these laws and...

As a part of our new interview series, we get into the deep into the complex and deeply rooted Israeli-Palestinian conflict with our special guest, Mark Patinkin, a nationally syndicated columnist and Pulitzer Prize finalist, who brings firsthand insights from his new book, "The Holy Land at War." We unpack the intricate dynamics of Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. We'll explore the influence of H...