Welcome to “Back in Session,” a podcast focused on exploring various state-level policies and legislation shaping our nation, one state at a time. Join our hosts, Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara from Duane Morris Government Strategies, as they engage a diverse range of guests to bring you behind the scenes of the legislative process.
Whether you are a policy wonk looking to dive into recent legislative developments, or a curious citizen interested in getting to learn more about the issues in your state and beyond, “Back in Session” is the podcast for you. Each episode offers fresh perspectives, shedding light on challenges and opportunities that shape policy landscapes in states around the country.
Subscribe now to stay informed on the always- evolving policy landscape in states around the country.
Kentucky State Representative Vanessa Grossl joins hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara to talk about her extensive background experience that led her to the statehouse, including teaching English abroad, working at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, running an international center for the City of Lexington, shaping state policy at the Council of State Governments, working in tech startups, and finally flipping a state house seat.
Rep. Grossl shares what surprised her most about life as a first term legislator and reflects on how her varied career, including her time spent living and working in Japan, shapes her views on education and personal responsibility. She also previews her top legislative priority for the next session, closing a dangerous regulatory gap around compounding pharmacies, med spas, and weight loss drugs after a constituent’s harrowing medical scare. She also talks the value of the legislative conference circuit (CSG, ALEC, NCSL), and, of course, her favorite of the nearly 60 countries she’s visited.
Join hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara on this episode of the Back in Session podcast as they chat with Pennsylvania State Representative David Rowe, Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. Dive into Rowe’s unconventional path to politics, from teaching English in Taiwan and running CrossFit gyms to local township service and now tackling state issues. He breaks down the Policy Committee’s recent hearings on critical topics like welfare and benefit integrity, burdensome regulations stifling small businesses, childcare challenges amid closures and red tape, and government efficiency reforms showcased by State Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Plus, hear fun stories about sneaking pianos into the Capitol rotunda for impromptu performances and exploring the state’s historic vault full of unclaimed treasures. Whether you’re interested in policy insights or lighthearted Harrisburg anecdotes, this episode delivers all you’re looking for, and more.
Unconventional Beginnings
- Rep. David Rowe’s career started far from Harrisburg—in Taiwan, teaching English to underserved students. Later, he ran CrossFit gyms before entering local government. That real-world experience now shapes his legislative goals.
What Makes the Policy Committee Unique
- Rather than pushing legislation from a desk, the Policy Committee hits the road, listening to Pennsylvanians firsthand and shaping policy around their concerns.
Cracks in the Safety Net
- Rowe highlighted how improper Medicaid and SNAP payments waste up to 25% of taxpayer funds. He argues that work requirements and modern tech can restore trust and effectiveness.
Crushing Burden of Regulation
- Pennsylvania has over 160,000 regulations. According to Rowe, “it would take 18 weeks of full-time reading just to get through them.” Small businesses are folding under compliance costs.
Childcare at a Breaking Point
- With five centers closing in just four counties this year, childcare is in crisis. The committee’s hearings revealed how bizarre and conflicting regulations, from flowerbeds to swing sets, are driving providers out of business.
Treasury Shows What’s Possible
- Rowe discusses a recent hearing where State Treasurer Stacy Garrity testified. According to Rowe, the Treasurer’s efficient, transparent, tech-savvy approach, including AI assistants and fraud recovery, proves that government can work smarter.
Music & Memory in the Rotunda
- The episode closes on a festive note, literally, with Rep. Rowe recounting the time he and a colleague snuck pianos into the Capitol to play Christmas duets.
Latest News
In this insightful 2026 season-debut episode of the Back In Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara chat with Kentucky State Representative Vanessa Grossl about the career path that led her to the statehouse, [...]
In this insightful episode of the Back In Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara chat with Drew Dehoff and Stacey Hanrahan from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC). The conversation covers everything from [...]
In the latest episode of Back in Session, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara talk with Anne Gingerich, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), about how budget uncertainty at both the [...]
In this episode of Back in Session, Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Inganamort for a wide-ranging and energizing conversation about life in the Garden State and the real challenges facing small-town [...]
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