|
KZG Ranks in the
Top 5 for 2016!
KZG has once again been
ranked among New Jersey's
top lobbying firms.
The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), ranked KZG No. 4 among lobbying firms in the state of New Jersey for 2016. This is our 9th straight year on the list of top firms, having been consistently ranked among the Top 10 Lobbying Firms since the firm's inception in 2007.
To view the report, please click here.
|
|
Kaufman Zita Group
Celebrates 10 Years!
Throughout the month of March, KZG will be commemorating
our 10 Year Anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, we will be highlighting significant moments in our firm's history.
Be sure to look out for these #KZG10YearMilestones by following us on social media and checking our website for updates.
|
|
Recap of KZG's Beer & Wine Reception
The Kaufman Zita Group would like to thank everyone who attended our Annual Beer and Wine Reception during the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's Walk to Washington on February 16th. This year's event was particularly special, as it kicked-off our 10 Year Anniversary!
|
|
|
Governor Chris Christie Proclaims
Athletic Trainer Recognition Week
When it comes to the prevention, recognition and care of sports-related injuries, athletic trainers are often athletes' primary points of contact both on and off the field. They aid athletes before, during, and after games, 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 5th through March 11th, 2017 as "Athletic Trainer Recognition Week."
In his proclamation, Gov. Christie commends New Jersey's athletic trainers on their commitment to provide excellent health care for individuals participating in sports. The proclamation recognizes athletic trainers' skilled efforts in educating the community on methods and techniques to decrease the occurrence of injuries.
To learn more about the ATSNJ, please click
here to visit their website. You can also view a copy of the Governor's Proclamation by clicking
here.
|
Bill Leveling Playing Field
for Limousine Industry Becomes Law
On February 10, 2017, Governor Christie signed
A-3696 into law, reducing the costs on limousine services so they can better compete with ride hailing companies like Uber and Lyft.
KZG's
Adam Kaufman and
Beth Dohm worked with the
Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) to ensure the passage of
A-3696, which was sponsored by Assemblymembers Troy Singleton (D-7), Joseph Lagana (D-38), John Wisniewski (D-19), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37), Paul Moriarty (D-4), and Senators Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Anthony Bucco (R-25).
The law eliminates the 7% sales tax on limousine services. This measure will help to level the playing field and ensure increased competition in the ride hailing industry. In a
press release issued by
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25), he spoke on the importance of this law for local businesses and consumers, "we don't want our local limousine owners to be driven out of business by these national tech companies. This new law...helps our small businesses and creates more competitive pricing for consumers. It's a win for everyone involved."
LANJ is the professional membership organization for chauffeured transportation operators and suppliers doing business in New Jersey. LANJ members are fully licensed, insured, and they adhere to all New Jersey public safety laws.
|
|
|
Governor Christie's Proposed
Budget
for Fiscal Year 2018
On February 28th Governor Christie addressed a joint session of the State Legislature to propose his budget for Fiscal Year 2018. The Governor presented a $35.5 billion state budget that provides for no additional tax increases or cuts, as well as flat funding in a number of key areas. However, Gov. Christie utilized his final budget address to not only detail a number of areas in his budget, but to create news by proposing to direct lottery revenues to the public-employee pension system, and calling on Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to voluntarily dip into its surplus to contribute to his efforts to fund addiction services.
The Governor's plan sets aside $2.5 billion for government worker pensions, an increase of over $650 million from last year. Additionally, Gov. Christie's plan assumes $125 million in savings from reforms to the State health benefit plans for public workers and teachers. He once again warned of the upcoming challenges that the pension system and State health funds are facing and reiterated his belief that reform was necessary.
The Governor also challenged lawmakers to overhaul the State's school-aid formula in 100 days. After attacking the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 for allocating funds unfairly, Gov. Christie offered Democrats an opportunity to restart negotiations in order to come up with a new funding formula. After the address, Democrats said they were open to tweaking the school funding formula in order to distribute funds more equally, but reminded reporters that the State Supreme Court had found the current formula to be constitutional.
The budget address begins a months-long formal process, in which the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees conduct hearings with the public, the State Treasurer, the Office of Legislative Services (OLS), and the heads of various state departments. OLS conducts a thorough analysis of the budget plan and each department's expenditures, as well as works with Legislative budget committee chairs and members to draft the appropriations bill that will be voted on by the full Assembly and Senate. The budget must be signed into law by the Governor no later than July 1st.
Senate and Assembly Budget Panels
to Host
Public Hearings
on Governor's Proposed FY 2018 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 $35.5 billion spending plan. The first session kicks off at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 14th at Rowan University (Gloucester County). The second hearing will take place at 10 AM on March 21st at Rutgers University (Newark).
The Assembly Budget Committee will also convene three public hearings on Gov. Christie's proposed budget plan. The first of these will be held at the New Jersey State House Annex. (Trenton) on Wednesday, March 15th, the second hearing will take place on March 22nd at Rowan University (Glassboro), and the third hearing will be held on March 29th at Felician University (Lodi). All of these hearings will begin at 9:30 AM.
Any committee updates on these budget hearings can be found on the New Jersey Legislative Website.
|
|
|
