Our guest today is former New Jersey Congressman and Governor James J. Florio, for whom I worked for two years as chief of staff during his years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jim Florio was a high school dropout who joined the Navy as a teenager, went on to become an attorney, a state assemblyman, a congressman, and finally a governor, serving his state in that post from 1990 to 1994.

A passionate defender of the environment, Florio played a crucial role in the enactment of 1980s-era Superfund laws, which helped to clean up toxic waste sites in his home state and around the country.

As governor, he fought for the groundbreaking Clean Water Enforcement Act, but his reforms came at a cost – a big political cost. He was forced to raise state taxes to balance the state budget. He did what he had to do, and the Republicans pounced making him a one term governor.

Jim Florio is the author of the book “Standing on Principle,” a memoir that reflects upon the challenges that he faced throughout his political career. I can tell you from personal experience, that this man did, indeed, “stand on principle.” He was tough, hard working, hard charging, and demanding. But he did not ask more from his staff than what he was willing to deliver, himself.

Now retired from politics, the governor maintains a law practice, writes, and teaches. Today, we will talk with him about the political climate today, get his take on Donald Trump, his actions since the election, and his thoughts about what lies ahead.

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