Kaufman Zita Group Volunteered at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games

From June 14 through June 21, over three-thousand athletes from across the United States traveled to New Jersey for the 2014 USA Games to compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports. 

They showcased their talents, hard work, courage and determination in various athletic arenas and in the process inspired us all. 

Members of

Kaufman Zita Group - Adam, Trish, Tom, Beth, Eric, Nina and Liz -

had a great time volunteering in this year's games and were pleased to support these amazing athletes.

Congratulations to all the athletes!  

Jeannine LaRue Joins Transition Teams of 

Newark Mayor-elect Ras Baraka and 

Trenton Mayor-elect Eric Jackson

KZG's Jeannine LaRue has maintained a longtime passion for urban renaissance, whether it's reforming education, developing the economy, or simply strategizing how to attract the best minds to urban centers. This year, our state experienced extremely competitive mayoral races in several cities, including Newark, Paterson and Trenton. It was no surprise many governmental, business and community leaders would be tapped to serve on a transition team for one of these cities. However, Jeannine was humbled that both Newark Mayor-elect Ras Baraka and Trenton Mayor-elect Eric Jackson tapped her not only to serve on the transition teams, but also to play significant roles in each city.

Jeannine LaRue and Trenton Mayor-elect Eric Jackson

Jeannine, who brings more than 40 years' experience to the table in government, private sector, and non-profit organizations says, "Without question, any transition is an immensely tough job. But, moving the agendas forward for major urban centers such as Newark and our State's Capital, Trenton, can cause sleepless nights."

"But," she continues, "I'm thrilled to be part of both transition teams that will help two men shape their visions in their cities that might change the paradigm of the urban renaissance moving forward."   

In Newark, Jeannine co-chairs the transition's executive recruitment committee, which is tasked with overseeing recruitment, interviewing and recommending candidates to serve in top-level positions.

"In preparing the transition to Newark's new administration on July 1st, we have chosen a wide-ranging group of advisors who are experts in their chosen fields," Mayor-Elect Ras Baraka said, adding that "The transition process and the Transition Team are representative of the diversity of Newark."

In Trenton where Jeannine resides, Mayor-elect Eric Jackson has appointed her to his Steering Committee and liaison to his Education Committee.  Jeannine has been organizing four strategic community forums that will give Trenton residents, community leaders, and business owners an opportunity to have input in goals and activities of the Jackson Administration. 

Mayor-elect Jackson expressed how pleased he is at the make-up of his transition team, "This dynamic, diverse group of people are committed to furthering our common vision of moving Trenton forward as one community to eradicate crime, improve schools, create jobs and restore ethics and integrity to City Hall."

To learn more about the Trenton and Newark transition teams, you can visit their websites at www.trentontransition.com and www.believeinnewark.com, respectively.

Both Mayors will be sworn in on July 1, 2014, and each will serve a four-year term.  

Client Spotlight: KDC Solar Opens 9.95 Mega Watt Solar Facility in Branchburg, NJ

KZG client KDC Solar commenced commercial operation of its 9.95 Mega Watt solar facility on June 4th, 2014. The facility will provide electricity for ImClone biopharmaceutical operations via a solar panel system. KDC Solar owns the solar panel system, developed it, built it and will operate the system as well.

The solar panel project has set a new precedent for solar companies locally, nationally and globally. The project is the largest solar installation for any pharmaceutical company in New Jersey, one of the largest for non-utility companies on the U.S. East Coast and, on a global scale, is one of the largest pharmaceutical solar installations to date.

The solar installation provides ImClone with 45 percent of its annual electricity needs, generating approximately 12.9 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable solar energy. To put this effect into perspective, that amount is a year's supply of electricity for nearly 1,200 homes!

The project has already had a positive impact on New Jersey's economy as well as the environment. The solar project provided over 60,000 working hours for electricians, iron workers, laborers and building trades.

KDC Solar has 9 other operational facilities throughout New Jersey, with 2 more under construction. The work KDC Solar has done in the past has paved the way for clean, renewable energy in New Jersey, promoting the state's environment and economy by reducing carbon emissions and creating jobs along the way. 

The ribbon cutting ceremony, pictured here from left to right, included Branchburg Mayor James Schworn, ImClone President and Managing Director Jerry Kinzel, Asw. Donna Simon (R-16), Somerset County Freeholder Robert Zaborowski, Sen. Kip Bateman (R-16), KDC Solar CEO Hal Kamine, Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-7), Somerset County Freeholder Mark Caliguire, and KDC Solar President and COO Alan Epstein.

Under the Dome:

Budget Update for Fiscal Year 2015

With only a few days left before New Jersey's constitutionally-mandated June 30 budget deadline, lawmakers hammered out their last-minute budget proposals under the dome this week.

In an attempt to address a $1.7 billion projected shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, lawmakers were caught in a whirlwind of activity. 

After Gov. Chris Christie proposed a cut in pension payments to fix the budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2014 and Fiscal Year 2015, the state's public employee unions filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to try to stop the governor from cutting the pension payments. Noting that a canceled pension payment would lead to a "substantial impairment" for public employees, Judge Mary Jacobson nevertheless dismissed the request for a preliminary injunction on Wed., June 25, and ruled that the governor acted within the scope of his authority in light of the state's severe fiscal crisis. The ruling, however, only concerns the current budget cycle and does not cover the budget that starts July 1.

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in both houses released their own plans, which centered on a millionaire's tax and an increase in the state's corporate business tax rate. Rather than cutting the state's contributions to the pension system, they proposed a full pension payment of $2.25 billion for the upcoming fiscal year - a payment that would be funded through an increased tax on millionaires and a surcharge on the state's corporate business tax. On Thursday, June 26, both Houses of the Democrat-controlled State Legislature approved the $34.1 billion budget and sent it to the governor's desk. 

For his part, Gov. Christie has vowed to reject the Democrats' tax hikes. He also has the power to veto their budget bill or use the line-item veto to lower spending.

Whatever action he decides to take, the governor must do so by Monday night. The state constitution requires that a balanced budget be in place by Tuesday, July 1st.