Fraud, Taxes, and Calls for Political Change in Ohio

Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio! In this episode, Steve Palmer, Norm Murdock, and Troy Henriksen kick off the new year with their signature blend of straight talk, history lessons, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.

The guys start out admitting—yep, Steve Palmer called that Ohio State would win, and, well, that didn’t happen. From there, they waste no time jumping into a whirlwind of topics: quick trips through world history, sharp takes on modern socialism creeping into local politics, and plenty of jabs at New York’s rent control mess and what it might mean for property rights everywhere.

You’ll hear them dig into the nuts and bolts of tax changes, dissect the fallout from massive fraud in Minnesota and Ohio, and call out lawmakers who are too afraid of offending anyone to do their jobs well. They even touch on big moves abroad—like the U.S. going after the Venezuelan regime—and what it shows about American power today.

And of course, there are all the regular Common Sense Ohio trademarks: playful banter, some shameless Ohio pride, a few pop culture references, and real frustration at politicians of every stripe. By the end, you’ll get their “good, bad, and ugly” of the week—including a shout-out to a Bible podcast that’s keeping Steve Palmer on track.

If you like your current events with a side of humor, skepticism, and unapologetic Midwest sensibility, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!

Harper CPA Plus

Moments

00:00 "Harper Plus Accounting Spotlight"

03:46 "Fall of the Khmer Rouge"

06:33 "Trump's Actions and Policies"

11:16 "Self-Gratification Over Free Handouts"

13:46 "Fearing Centralized Government Power"

17:36 Owner Rejects ICE Presence

21:16 "Discrimination's Slippery Slope"

24:42 "Unity and Equality in Military"

27:40 Minnesota Governor's Fraud Scandal

30:54 Daycare Fraud Tied to Grocery

33:47 Ohio Republicans and Tax Concerns

37:27 "Venezuela: Discussing Maduro Indictment"

39:51 "Debating a Dictator's Removal"

43:40 "Targeting Drug Boats Debate"

45:25 "American Role in Escobar's Fall"

48:49 "Monroe Doctrine's Hemispheric Divide"

52:31 "MAGA Concerns Over H1B Stance"

55:08 Convictions, Indictments, and Cooperation

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

[email protected]

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.

Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio