The Ben Broghammer Show

It’s budget season in St. Louis County.  The reality today: A $99 million deficit, bankruptcy within sight, $1 billion in unfunded road and bridge liabilities, and filling the operating expenses gap with one time finite funds.  In this episode, Ben discusses the current affairs of St. Louis County finances, and outlines the path ahead.This is the Ben Broghammer Show.  These are the facts.LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershowFollowing the show on X @benbroghammerListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms.“Just the Facts!”Sourceshttps://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/fiscal-transparency/budgets/2027-recommended-budget/2027-recommended-business-plan1/https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/fiscal-transparency/budgets/2027-recommended-budget/2027-recommended-budget-book1/https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-10-01/pages-proposed-st-louis-county-budget-includes-cuts-and-pushes-dire-need-for-new-revenuehttps://boxcast.tv/channel/wdeojvfau9uqc9qt6k8zhttps://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/mayor-grant-will-prepare-fenton-auto-plant-for-new-use/article_23c2fe08-4e44-5082-8d5b-0a81f7ecbead.html

Why is the district asking for $9 million in an attempt to address a $5 million problem?  The district compares this tax increase to coffee runs, when in reality, it means an 18% tax increase, before next year’s reassessment, and an 18% cost of living increase for our community. In this episode, Ben continues to present the facts surrounding the Webster Groves School District budget and financial issues, what Prop W really is, and what it will likely mean for our community.  The small business impact, the household impact, the tax increase we are getting asked to pay without being presented sustainable solutions to solving the problems that landed us here in the first place.  Prop W is likely the start of more and more to come, pushing prosperity in our community further and further away.  Break through the headlines, the fear tactics, the recycled talking points, and learn what it really is and how it will impact you.This is the Ben Broghammer Show.  These are the facts.LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershowFollowing the show on X @benbroghammerListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms.“Just the Facts!”Get your own “No On W” sign!Template Link: https://canva.link/26zvod4gvv81l9lSourceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuo8cVLwLcUhttps://www.webster.k12.mo.us/prop-whttps://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1790284755/websterk12mous/hlzlhtfozmwzolojnyzv/2026-27WGSDPreliminaryBudget1.pdfhttps://graphics.stltoday.com/apps/payrolls/salaries_2025/teachers/96114/

In this episode, Ben breaks down the proposed Webster Groves School District tax increase, known as Prop W, and looks beyond the often-repeated “65 cents” and coffee stops comparison to examine what Prop W could actually mean for home owners, families, and local businesses.Using the district’s own calculator, Ben explains what a 18.51% increase in school district taxes could mean in real dollars for tax payers.  He also explores the potential ripple effect on the local economy, including higher costs on small business, consumer prices, and the overall cost of living in Webster Groves.This episode examines the district’s finances, raises questions about why a $9 million proposal is being presented to fill a $5.6 million deficit, the minimal spending reductions, declining enrollment, and further questions around accountability and transparency.Ben also discusses recent concerns raised by school board members regarding state accessing to student assessment data and the district’s approach to reporting academic performance.As election day approaches, one question remains, and should be asked by all of us: Can Webster Groves taxpayers afford another major tax increase and is this the right solution to the district’s financial challenges?This is the Ben Broghammer Show.  These are the facts.LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershowFollowing the show on X @benbroghammerListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms.“Just the Facts!”Sourceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJDfPJNifQYhttps://www.webster.k12.mo.us/prop-w

Webster Groves closed its latest fiscal year with a $1.3 million surplus, exceeding expectations in both revenue and expenses for the general fund.  While vacancies played a role in expenses being reduced, the 104% revenue outcome from what was budgeted can be credited to Destination WG and the pool, and increased utility taxes following rate increases from Ameren and Spire.In St. Louis County, tax payers are seeing further threats of tax increases or cuts in police funding, along with new ideas being proposed by County Executive Sam Page such as transferring county roads to municipalities, a decision that could save the county $17 million but shift work to municipalities that haven’t planned for this kind of expense.  And the county council has saved employees from a lapse in benefit coverage, in yesterday’s council meeting, in what is just another lived example of what Sam Page’s administration looks like in its final months.This is the Ben Broghammer ShowLOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershowFollowing the show on X @benbroghammerListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms.“Just the Facts!”Sourceshttps://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/city-to-end-fiscal-year-with-surplus/article_7fabd6a6-3cd3-4be3-a4a9-8185fa63ddba.htmlhttps://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/article_916e3ec6-c372-4687-a136-039e0f6b7c79.htmlhttps://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/city-faces-overload-of-stormwater-projects/article_33a7d9d4-ccec-4d3b-b4b9-14c55fc6bdbf.htmlhttps://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15981/Adopted-Budget-Book-FY-2027https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/rise-in-commercial-property-taxes-homes-likely-to-remain-the-same/article_9e8009c4-dab2-49a2-a364-25291361f51e.htmlhttps://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/county-council/https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/09/11/raise-taxes-or-cut-cops-deadline-approaches-sam-page-urges-action/

What began as a simple question for missing pieces in the Webster Groves School District budget for 2026-2027, published on the district’s own website, led to the quick admission of errors and mislabeling by district leadership.  Instead of being transparent to tax payers, this document was subtly updated on the district website and a footnote added, with the district refusing to make any formal statement as of the publication of this episode.  Ben is the one who found the error, pressed the district for answers, and is working to hold the school board and district leadership accountable.  Also Prop W, the effort to raise roughly $9 million to fill the $5.6 million deficit the district is facing is also discussed in detail. Get the full story in this episode.Also, Ben discusses the continuation of political violence in our region, and calls out those who accept and celebrate it.This is the Ben Broghammer Show.LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL!Follow the show on Instagram @benbroghammershowFollowing the show on X @benbroghammerListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music: The Ben Broghammer Show on all platforms.“Just the Facts!”Topic Sources:https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/departments/business-operations/business-finance/budgets*The erroneous budget has been updated on the district’s website.  A copy of the original can be provided if you send us a message, or open a sunshine request with the district.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_VKGpzEPlc