Georgia’s Political Landscape and Colorado’s Property Tax Fight

On this Thursday broadcast, Kim Monson explores two critical battlefronts in the fight for American liberty. Georgia talk radio host Martha Zoller provides insider analysis on the potential Trump indictments and the state of the Georgia GOP, while Colorado watchdogs Natalie Menten and Brandon Wark break down the deceptive property tax measure Proposition HH and arm citizens with tools to fight back at the local level.

Georgia Politics and the Trump Indictment

Start listening at 25:51 – Hour 1

Martha Zoller, Talkers Magazine’s 2023 Woman of the Year and host of a talk show on WDUN in Gainesville, Georgia, breaks down the political landscape of the Peach State. With roughly 5.5 million people in metro Atlanta and another 5.5 million in the rest of the state, Georgia’s elections hinge on suburban and exurban women who swing between parties each cycle.

Zoller explains how 450,000 Republicans who voted in the 2020 general election stayed home during the Senate runoffs after former President Trump’s rallies emphasized doubts about vote counting. This resulted in two Democratic senators in an otherwise Republican-controlled state. She draws attention to the Fulton County investigation and the controversial phone call between Trump and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, arguing that while the call may have been unwise, she questions whether it rises to criminality.

The discussion turns to Jack Smith’s federal case, which Zoller characterizes as double jeopardy since Trump was already impeached and acquitted by the Senate on similar grounds. Even liberal lawyers on her show agree with this assessment, she notes. When it comes to Stacey Abrams, Zoller observes that despite never conceding the 2018 gubernatorial race, Abrams has not won an election in ten years and lacks credibility within Georgia while commanding high speaking fees elsewhere.

“What Jack Smith is doing, and I’ve had liberal lawyers on my show say this as well as conservative lawyers say this, what Jack Smith is doing is double jeopardy. Everything that is in his case, and I don’t know why President Trump, with all the money he’s spending on these lawyers, that they haven’t made this point.”

Martha Zoller, Talk Radio Host, WDUN

Colorado Real Estate Market Update

Start listening at 64:45 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, award-winning Remax Alliance realtor, reports that homes are staying on the market twice as long as last summer, yet inventory remains 28% lower than the previous year. Sales are down approximately 20%, largely attributable to increased interest rates affecting affordability. Average and median prices have softened by two to four percent.

Despite these challenges, demand for homeownership persists. Levine highlights opportunities for first-time buyers, including a townhome in Arvada priced under $400,000. She also notes new construction incentives from builders in outlying areas such as North Thornton, Brighton, and the Parker-Castle Rock corridor, emphasizing the importance of buyer representation when exploring new builds.

“Homes are staying on the market twice as long as they were last summer. So those signs are staying around a little bit longer, but inventory is 28% less than it was last year.”

Karen Levine, Realtor, Remax Alliance

Property Taxes and the Proposition HH Deception

Start listening at 72:37 – Hour 2

Natalie Menten of Colorado Engaged and director of the TABOR Foundation sounds the alarm on Proposition HH, the ballot measure masquerading as property tax relief. She walks listeners through the Blue Book process, explaining how citizens can submit public comments on the third draft and participate in the August 31st hearing. The Blue Book, sent to all registered voters, includes pro and con statements that can counter misleading ballot language.

Menten reveals a critical flaw in Proposition HH: while it claims to cap local government property taxes, local governments can simply waive this limit after holding a public hearing. This renders the supposed protection meaningless. She urges citizens to contact their county election departments to discover which local ballot measures are in the works and to submit comments to the Gray Book by the September 22nd deadline.

“The main ones are that the government has to ask voters’ consent to be able to raise taxes or keep excess revenue, which was supposed to be for a limited amount of time. But it’s about consent, and the government does not like that.”

Natalie Menten, Director, TABOR Foundation

Mill Levy Reduction: The Power Local Officials Ignore

Start listening at 72:51 – Hour 2

Brandon Wark, founder of Free State Colorado, explains that his video series with Menten provides citizens with actionable information to lower property taxes at the local level. The ninth episode released just yesterday. He emphasizes that lowering mill levy rates does not require a ballot initiative, unlike taking away TABOR refunds, which is the true purpose behind Proposition HH.

Wark exposes the dishonesty of legislators who referred HH to voters: if all they wanted was to lower property taxes, they could have done so without asking permission. The only reason for a ballot measure is to strip away Taxpayer Bill of Rights refunds. He notes that the same politicians who touted TABOR refund checks with their names attached last year are now trying to eliminate those very refunds. Senate Bill 23-108 authorizes temporary mill levy reductions that would not trigger future elections, removing any excuse local officials might offer for inaction.

“These legislators didn’t need to put HH on the ballot. If that’s all it was doing was lowering our property tax rates, our assessment rates. So, you know, it’s really something that people need to be aware of and look for that language.”

Brandon Wark, Founder, Free State Colorado