This week, the Ryans sit down with special guest Eric Blomgren, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association. They discuss what it's like lobbying in New Jersey and what's in store for the NJGCA in 2024, including issues such as NJ's EV mandate (Advanced Clean Cars II), a potential ban on menthol cigarettes, and whether or not New Jersey will continue to ban self-service gas pumping. They also look to settle the longstanding Jersey debate: Taylor Ham vs Pork Roll.

About the NJGCA:

Founded in 1937, and boasting a proud tradition of excellence that stretches back over 75 years, NJGCA represents over 1,500 small business owners who serve the motoring public in the gasoline service station, convenience store, and automotive repair industries. Their members also include car washes, tire vendors, car dealerships, automotive parts dealers, financial services companies, fuel distributors, lubricant vendors, business management companies and much more!

NJGCA takes a multifaceted approach to serve their small business members, including:

• Advocating for effective public policies with legislators and state officials in Trenton
• Offering essential small business services to our members, often at a discounted price to help you reach maximum profitability
• Informing and educating members on industry matters
• Enhancing general awareness and projecting a positive image of our members to the general public, media, and Legislature
• Promoting the highest levels of ethical standards and professionalism among members

Check out their website: https://www.njgca.org/

This week, the Ryans sit down with Eric Blomgren, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association. They discuss what it's like lobbying in New Jersey and what's in store for the NJGCA in 2024, including issues such as NJ's EV Mandate (Advanced Clean Cars II), a potential ban on menthol cigarettes, and whether or not New Jersey will continue to ban self-service gas pumping. They also look to settle the longstanding Jersey debate: Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.

About the NJGCA:

Founded in 1937, and boasting a proud tradition of excellence that stretches back over 75 years, NJGCA represents over 1,500 small business owners who serve the motoring public in the gasoline service station, convenience store, and automotive repair industries. Their members also include car washes, tire vendors, car dealerships, automotive parts dealers, financial services companies, fuel distributors, lubricant vendors, business management companies and much more!

NJGCA takes a multifaceted approach to serve their small business members, including:

• Advocating for effective public policies with legislators and state officials in Trenton
• Offering essential small business services to our members, often at a discounted price to help you reach maximum profitability
• Informing and educating members on industry matters
• Enhancing general awareness and projecting a positive image of our members to the general public, media, and Legislature
• Promoting the highest levels of ethical standards and professionalism among members

Check out their website: https://www.njgca.org/

This week, the Ryans bring on special guest Tim O'Connor, the Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Association. They discuss what the NCTA does, why REAL Christmas trees should be used over artificial trees, the origin of artificial trees, and the NCTA's role in the White House Christmas Tree. It was a tree-mendous discussion!

The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) is the national trade association representing the Christmas tree industry. NCTA represents more than 700 active member farms, 29 state and regional associations, and more than 4,000 affiliated businesses that grow and sell Christmas trees or provide related supplies and services. Members are located throughout North America, as well as in South America and Europe. It is estimated that those affiliated with the NCTA produce roughly three-quarters of the farm-raised Christmas trees in the United States.

Learn more: https://realchristmastrees.org/

This week, the Ryans bring on special guest Alain Xiong-Calmes from the Chamber of Progress, a new tech industry coalition devoted to a progressive society, economy, workforce, and consumer climate. Alain talks about the different issues the Chamber is working on and monitoring, including automated vehicles, as well as the future of issues like artificial intelligence and data privacy. Alain also talks about his previous experience working for Governor Tom Wolf in Pennsylvania and working the circuit with Ryan S (NCSL, etc.).

Learn more about the Chamber of Progress: https://progresschamber.org/

In this week's episode of Back in Session, the Ryans recap election results across the country, namely Kentucky, Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. They then bring on special guest Micah Rasmussen, Director at the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, to discuss the New Jersey 2023 election results, looking at what factors led to Democrats having a better night than many anticipated, and what it could mean for 2025 and beyond.

Outside of election results, they also dabble into the infamous New Jersey debate over Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham and a new haunted story that should have been included in our last Haunted State Capitols episode.

Micah's bio is included below and you can learn more about him here.

Micah Rasmussen is the director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics. He has contributed to the public affairs of the state for more than two decades, and has more than 15 years of experience as an adjunct professor of political science.

As Governor James E. McGreevey’s press secretary, he handled crisis communications during the Governor’s historic resignation. He has served as communications director for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, worked in the New Jersey General Assembly, and managed several political campaigns.

Most recently, Rasmussen served as vice president for executive communications at Chubb, where he wrote speeches for audiences throughout the world. He previously served as director of corporate communications for New Jersey Resources and its primary subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas. He led the crisis communications that kept affected customers, public officials and the media informed throughout widespread system damages in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

During his undergraduate studies at Rider, Dr. Rebovich was his professor and mentor. He earned his Master of Arts in Political Science from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.

Rasmussen runs the New Jersey Model Congress, a civics education program he founded. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Upper Freehold Township, where he advocates for the preservation of farmland and open space.

Welcome to episode three of the DMGS Back in Session Podcast! This week, the Ryans bring on Cody Bright of the REFORM Alliance to discuss all things Criminal Justice Reform, particularly legislative efforts in various states around probation and parole reform. Cody also touches on his experience with the Iowa Caucuses, what it's like serving as a local township supervisor, and the story behind the Dr. Oz crudité video from the 2022 Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race. Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

Welcome to another episode of Back in Session, a DMGS podcast. This week, Ryan and Ryan (the Ryans) speak with Katie DeLand from the DMGS Ohio office. Katie provides insight on the political landscape in Ohio, including the upcoming ballot issues, redistricting, as well as what it's like to work outside of Ohio as part of DMGS' multi-state practice. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe!