ATR Trent Loos: Property vs sales tax, Barges carrying less freight and solar rent checks

·32 min·3 clips

South Dakota considers eliminating property taxes entirely, which could trigger a nationwide economic boom.

The episode begins with Vance Crowe introducing co-host Trent Luce, host of Loose Tales and Rural Route Radio, who works with Protect Our Harvest. They first discuss drought conditions on the Mississippi River reducing barge capacity, requiring 33 barges instead of 25 to move the same grain, with freight costs up 57% from the three-year average. Luce connects this to rumors of California planning a pipeline to tap Missouri's water, which motivated his friend Stephen Dommy to run for county commissioner. The second topic is property tax reform, focusing on South Dakota's proposal to eliminate residential property taxes by raising sales tax from 4.2% to 9.2%. Luce explains similar movements in North Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana, citing a Nebraska case where a farmer pays more annually in property tax than his original land purchase price. He attributes 71% of Nebraska's property taxes to school funding, criticizing a school district that spends $30,000 per student while test scores decline. The third topic examines solar farms outbidding farmers for land, with rentals jumping from $400-$500 to $1,200-$1,500 per acre. Luce argues this subsidized shift from food production is causing starvation, noting the U.S. agricultural trade deficit is projected to hit $42.5 billion by 2025. The conversation shifts to the 'Peter Thiel paradox,' where Luce states his controversial belief that Donald Trump is dangerous, despite serving on Trump's Ag Advisory Committee. He criticizes Trump's connections to the Rothschilds and animal rights legislation. In the 'worthy adversary' segment, Luce discusses his banned social media accounts and his complex relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he initially opposed but later consulted on agricultural issues. The episode concludes with Luce promoting his platforms at loosetalesmedia.com and beck.news.

As heard by us

A pointed rural tax discussion tying school spending to the cost of keeping land.

Property taxes sit at the center of this episode, with Trent Loos pressing the case that school spending is the main strain on landowners. The conversation makes that argument tangible through a school district described as serving 300 students while asking for a $10.2 million…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If your property tax bill feels mysterious, this conversation follows the money into school spending and local budgets.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Vance Crowe Podcast