KZG Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Accomplishments

KZG Secures Funding for Critical Programs

One of the most important times during the legislative session is the budget season.

The state budget may be one of the most important policy statements the Governor makes as he allocates the state’s resources for programs and services. The Legislature, through a series of hearings conducted by its budget and appropriations committees reviews and analyzes the Governor’s proposed budget and makes changes.  

Throughout this year’s process, KZG and our clients met with members of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees, legislative leaders, and officials in the Governor’s Office to educate them about our clients’ budget needs and how funding for each of our clients’ programs will help serve New Jerseyans.

The budget process has many moving parts and the KZG team worked diligently to ensure our clients’ priorities within the budget were met.

Here are some of KZG’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget accomplishments:

Health Care:  Regional Health Hubs  

KZG was successful in increasing the appropriations that the Governor recommended in his proposed budget for the state’s four regional health hubs.  These entities are regional networks of non-profit organizations that partner with Medicaid and other state agencies to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes through targeted and appropriate methods of care for Medicaid recipients in the state. These non-profit organizations are healthcare innovators that use real-time actionable data and diverse stakeholder input to develop and implement cutting-edge strategies for the delivery of effective, person-centered care.

The pandemic placed a great deal of financial stress on these regional health hubs as they fulfilled an increased need for healthcare coverage, particularly in medically underserved areas of the state.  Increased funding was vital for making sure they can continue to carry out their mission.

Higher Education: Polytechnic Adjustment Aid

KZG was able to secure a new, first-of-its-kind funding mechanism in support of a state polytechnic school. Polytechnic schools specialize in science and technology courses and are prevalent in many areas of the country with state financial support. This funding for higher education will allow these schools to enhance the programs they offer to their students and prepare students to be leaders in our increasingly technology-dependent economy. 

Public Broadcasting

KZG worked throughout the budget process to preserve funding for New Jersey’s public media operations. KZG met with members of the budget committees to ensure they understood the importance and value of New Jersey public television, especially during the pandemic when non-profit entities leveraged and adapted their educational capabilities to benefit children unable learn in a regular classroom environment. The funding will allow them to continue to invest in operational enhancements to improve quality programming throughout the state and transition to the digital age of media broadcasting.

Prisoner Re-Entry Services

KZG worked with legislative leaders and the coalition for community corrections providers to make sure there was sufficient funding in the budget for the variety of contractual services provided to the Department of Corrections and the NJ State Parole Board. The funding will help incarcerated individuals reentering society with employment placement, life skills, counseling services, medical services, substance use disorder treatment, and referral to social service agencies in communities.

Volunteer Tax Preparation Assistance and United In Care

KZG assisted United Way of Northern NJ in securing funding to expand critical programs. The two programs, Volunteer Tax Preparation Assistance program (VITA) and the United in Care program, help individuals and families that make less than $65,000 a year with their income tax preparation annually, and with the cost of childcare. 

KZG is proud of these achievements. The total budget funding that we were able to secure for our clients demonstrates the dedication and team effort made throughout the budget process and the diverse set of issues we take on.  As the new fiscal year unfolds, KZG will work with our clients to make sure budget allocations are properly implemented throughout the fiscal year budget cycle in order to positively impact the groups and individuals assisted by these programs.