Meet the Budget Chairs:

Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Asm. Gary Schaer (D-36)

Tax season is drawing to a close, and if you're like most Americans, you have carefully reviewed and audited your fiscal health from the previous year. You may have even outlined several changes you would like to make in the next year.

As it turns out, the New Jersey State Legislature is about to do the same. 

In February, Gov. Christie proposed his $34.4 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY'15) and presented it in his annual budget address to the State Legislature. The following month, the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees provided an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the Governor's proposed budget by hosting a series of public hearings throughout the state. Over the course of the month, members of the public and interest groups alike shared their concerns about the Governor's proposal and petitioned to maintain or increase funds for their respective programs.

Now, throughout the months of April and May, the legislative budget committees of both houses will pore over the details of the final spending plan, which has to be approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Christie by July 1, 2014. Chaired by two legislators well-versed in the budget process - Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Asm. Gary Schaer (D-36) - the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will ask Gov. Christie's cabinet officials to share the details of their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee chairs will preside over these upcoming budget hearings, and members of the committees will ask questions and learn more about the various fiscal allocations and programs. Cabinet officials will articulate and defend the Governor's proposals.

Needless to say, these chairmen will figure prominently in the FY '15 budget review process and will be at the table when legislative leaders negotiate the final budget document with the Governor and the Administration. 

Senator Paul A. Sarlo (D-36)

Sen. Paul Sarlo, the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee Chairman, has been a member of the Senate since 2003. Prior to that, he served in the Assembly and is a former mayor of the Borough of Wood-Ridge. Sarlo has been serving in the role of Budget Chairman since 2010 and is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee. Due to his experience at the local level, Sarlo understands the needs of municipalities and has a strong background in municipal budgeting and finance. A licensed professional engineer, licensed professional planner and a certified municipal engineer, Sarlo also has a keen understanding of transportation and infrastructure issues.

In recent budget hearings, Sarlo expressed concern about the state's failure to address the future of the Transportation Trust Fund and the lack of  investment in the state's infrastructure. To resolve this, Sarlo has expressed support for an increase in the state gas tax to help fund transportation projects, but stressed that this is the only tax he would consider raising.

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D-36)

Meanwhile, Sen. Sarlo's counterpart in the Assembly, Budget Committee Chairman Gary Schaer is serving in this capacity for the first time but is very adept at the New Jersey budget process having previously served on the Committee since 2006 and as vice-chair since 2008.  Schaer has been a member of the Assembly since 2006 and also serves as a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Women and Children, and the Joint Budget Oversight Committee. In his professional life, Schaer works as an investment consultant for a private client group and serves on the Passaic City Council. 

Reflecting on his new post as Chair, Asm. Schaer told NJTV News Managing Editor Mike Schneider that "it's a tremendously important committee within the workings of the Assembly and government as a whole here in New Jersey" and added that it's a "very thrilling, exciting, a good experience."  

Like Sen. Sarlo, Asm. Schaer has said that in the course of the budget hearings, he hopes that the issues surrounding the Transportation Trust Fund are solved. He also hopes that college and K-12 education funding needs are addressed as well. He further expressed an interest in working with the governor's administration to come to an understanding on the budget and hopes that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle resolve their differences with a focus on solutions for the state.

Both Sen. Sarlo and Asm. Schaer represent the 36th Legislative District, which includes the Bergen County municipalities of Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Rutherford, South Hackensack, Teterboro, Wallington and Wood-Ridge, and the City of Passaic in Passaic County.

You can learn more about the Governor's proposed FY '15 budget here, or review OLS budget analyses, departmental testimony, department responses and public testimony here. 

Kaufman Zita Group to Host 4th Annual Beer and Wine Reception

At the N.J. Chamber of Commerce "Walk to Washington" Trip in Washington, D.C.

This year's event will promote New Jersey's craft brewing industry and will feature beers of the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild, a KZG client. Comprised of microbreweries and brewpubs in New Jersey, the Brewers Guild strives to promote innovation in the state's craft brewing industry and expand New Jersey's reputation as a home to quality craft beers.

The Kaufman Zita Group would like to extend its thanks to our clients for their support and sponsorship of this event, including Bayer HealthCare, The Mercadien Group, T-Mobile US Inc., the N.J. Society of Optometric Physicians, UPS and others.

Please join us for a night of beer, wine, food and distinguished company in our nation's capital.

We hope to see you there!

KZG's Jeannine LaRue Honored by

United Way of Essex and West Hudson

United Way of Essex and West Hudson celebrated Women's History Month on March 27, 2014, by honoring three outstanding women at the Women's Leadership Council's (WLC) annual awards breakfast. Among the award recipients was KZG's Jeannine LaRue, who was recognized for her character, courage and commitment to her community.

KZG's Jeannine LaRue is pictured here with United Way's Keith Green, Newark Regional Business Partnership's Barbara Kauffman, United Way Consultant Robyn Pitts and KZG's Trish Zita.

 "The Greater Newark area is rich in women leaders who have shaped our history, both locally and nationally on many issues. That tradition continues today and is exemplified by the contributions of these three women," said Keith H. Green, President and CEO of United Way of Essex and West.

A nonprofit organization with over 90 years of service, United Way of Essex and West Hudson strives to address the root causes of community concerns by aligning resources to best meet the needs of individuals, children and families through its service area. It serves a population of nearly 700,000 in thirteen communities in Essex and Hudson County. 

Created and led by women, the Women's Leadership Council is an integral part of United Way. Its mission is to mobilize the power of women to advance the common good in communities. Participants in the WLC use their influence, talent and passion to improve lives and enhance philanthropy through targeted programs that bolster education, create financial stability and promote healthy lives.

For more information about or how to get involved in the Women's Leadership council, you can visit their website at www.unitedwayessex.org.