Spotlight on Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5), Budget Committees to Hold Public Hearings on Gov.'s FY'16 Proposed Budget, KZG Reception Photos, and More!

In This Issue

Meet the New Lawmaker: Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5)

Gov. Christie Proclaims Athletic Trainer Recognition Week

Senate and Assembly Budget Panels to Host Public Hearings on Governor's FY'16 Budget Proposal

Kaufman Zita Group Ranked Among Top 4 Lobbying Firms in New Jersey for 2014

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) ranked KZG No. 4 among lobbying firms in the state of New Jersey for 2014.

We appreciate the trust and confidence our clients have placed in us. It's an honor and our pleasure to represent you!

To learn more about the ranking, click here.

A Recap of KZG's

5th Annual Beer and Wine Reception in

Washington, D.C.

Kaufman Zita Group thanks everyone who attended our 5th Annual Beer and Wine Reception during this year's Chamber of Commerce "Walk to Washington" in Feb. 19th, 2015.

A special thanks to our Sponsors, and the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild , for their sponsorship and support.

Browse our photos from the event by visiting our Facebook Page and selecting the album titled "KZG 5th Annual Beer and Wine Reception in Washington, D.C."

Meet the New Lawmaker:

Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5)

In this month's installment of our "Meet the New Legislator" series, we feature Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D), who returns to the State House to represent the 5th District in New Jersey.

Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5)

As the state's first Latina legislator, Ms. Cruz-Perez represented the 5th District in the Assembly for 15 years before retiring in 2010. She served on the Democratic leadership team and chaired the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

Ms. Cruz-Perez returned to the State House in December to fill the vacancy left by former Senator Donald Norcross, who resigned after his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in November.

Born on Jan. 21, 1961, Sen. Cruz-Perez grew up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She attended the University of Puerto Rico, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in political science.

In 1981, Ms. Cruz-Perez joined the U.S. Army, where she rose to the rank of Sergeant. While serving, she studied at the U.S. Quartermaster School, Big Bend Community College, Temple University and the University of Maryland (overseas division).

She relocated to Camden City in 1991 and began work as an Executive Assistant to the Vice President of the Cooper's Ferry Development Association. She later joined the office of Camden Mayor Arnold Webster as an Executive Assistant. Sen. Cruz-Perez currently works as Director of Constituent Services in Camden County.

Sen. Cruz-Perez currently serves on four committees: the Economic Growth Committee (Vice-Chair), the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the Transportation Committee.

She represents New Jersey's 5th district, which covers 19 towns in Camden and Gloucester counties.

For more information about Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, please visit her legislative Web page.

Gov. Chris Christie Proclaims

Athletic Trainer Recognition Week

When it comes to the prevention, recognition and care of sports-related injuries, trainers are often athletes' primary points of contact both on and off the field. They aid athletes before, during and after games and practices, and they are often the first to respond when an athlete is injured.

In recognition of the tremendous service and support provided by athletic trainers all year round, the Kaufman Zita Group helped the Athletic Trainers' Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) secure a Governor's Proclamation designating March 1st through March 7th, 2015, as "Athletic Trainer Recognition Week."

In his proclamation for athletic training recognition week, Gov. Christie commends all athletic trainers in New Jersey for their dedication and commitment to serving the community in the delivery of expert physical training and health care.

The Athletic Trainers' Society of New Jersey consists of licensed athletic trainers, athletic training students, physicians and other allied health care professionals and strives to ensure that athletes receive the best health care possible.

To learn more about the ATSNJ, please click here or visit their website at http://www.atsnj.org/.

Senate and Assembly Budget Panels

to Host Public Hearings on

Gov.'s Proposed FY 2016 Budget

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold two day-long hearings that will be open to the public on the Governor's proposed $33.8 billion spending plan. The first session kicks off this morning, March 10th, at Bergen Community College. The second hearing will take place at 11 a.m. on March 25th at Rowan College (Gloucester County).

The Assembly Budget Committee will also convene three public hearings on Gov. Christie's proposed budget plan. These will be held at the Scottish Rite Auditorium (Collingswood) on March 11th, Passaic County Community College (Paterson) on March 18th, and at the New Jersey State House Annex (Trenton) on March 24th. All of these hearings will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Any committee updates on these budget hearings can be found on the New Jersey Legislative Website.