The Zita Group’s NJ FY2027 Budget & Legislative Accomplishments
Between the start of a new two-year legislative session and one of the most restrictive budget cycles in recent years, it’s been a busy first six months at The Zita Group.
With the NJ FY2027 budget signed into law on June 30 at $60.7 billion and the Legislature now on summer recess, we’re taking a look back at the budget and legislative wins our team helped secure for our clients.
This year’s cycle presented no shortage of obstacles: a tighter timeline as a result of the extension granted to the new governor for her proposed budget announcement, uncertainty about federal funding, navigating the dynamics between a new Governor’s Administration and the Legislature, all while balancing Governor Mikie Sherrill’s commitment to affordability against a full legislative agenda.
Through it all, our team and our clients worked alongside legislators and stakeholders, from restoring funding to advancing key legislation. We’re proud to share a few of those wins below.
Restored Funding
Despite a very challenging fiscal environment, our team successfully worked to restore funding for several clients that had been cut from the Governor’s proposed budget in March.
Families & Communities
- Protected Funding for Housing and Healthcare Services
- The Camden Coalition turned to TZG’s Trish Zita and Karlito Almeda to protect funding for two programs that connect New Jersey residents with stable housing and coordinated healthcare.
- Housing First helps people with complex health and housing challenges find permanent supportive housing. It has led to a 71% drop in ER visits, a 32% drop in hospital admissions and 80% of participants staying housed for an average of five years.
- Pledge to Connect coordinates behavioral health care across hospitals, providers, and community organizations, cutting down on repeat ER visits. The program’s success led to national recognition as one of 10 winners of the 2023 federal Behavioral Health Equity Challenge.
- The Camden Coalition turned to TZG’s Trish Zita and Karlito Almeda to protect funding for two programs that connect New Jersey residents with stable housing and coordinated healthcare.
- Expanded Access to Reentry Services
- Housing, jobs, healthcare and transportation are all critical for people returning home after incarceration. With advocacy from TZG’s Ken Murphy and Ed McGlynn, funding for KINTOCK’s essential reentry services was reinstated in the FY2027 budget. And more exciting news: a new Vantage Point site will be opening this Fall in the City of Trenton!
- Restored Funding for Working Families
- Thousands of New Jersey families rely on programs such as VITA and United in Care every year. After both programs were eliminated from the proposed FY2027 budget, TZG’s Ken Murphy led the charge to bring back support.
- VITA offers free tax preparation and filing assistance.
- United in Care expands access to affordable child care, with a focus on ALICE households (families living paycheck to paycheck).
- Thousands of New Jersey families rely on programs such as VITA and United in Care every year. After both programs were eliminated from the proposed FY2027 budget, TZG’s Ken Murphy led the charge to bring back support.
- Secured Funding for NJ 2-1-1 Call Center
- When the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget zeroed out funding for the NJ 211 Partnership, TZG’s Ken Murphy spearheaded efforts to restore it. Operating 24/7 365, NJ 211 links individuals and families in crisis to housing, food, utility assistance, medical care, mental health support and disaster relief.
- Safeguarded Funding for Community Healthcare
- TZG’s Christopher Hughes teamed up with RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s largest academic health system, to help secure continued investment in their community health and access-to-care programs during a highly competitive budget year.
- Sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo (D), Senator Linda Greenstein (D), Asw. Eliana Pintor Marin (D) and Asw. Ellen Park (D)
Investing in Higher Education
- Restored Polytechnic Aid for NJIT
- As New Jersey’s only public polytechnic university, NJIT plays a critical role in preparing the next generation of STEM leaders. After polytechnic aid was removed from the proposed FY2027 budget, TZG’s Christopher Hughes fought to bring it back, helping cover the higher costs of STEM education and advanced technology.
- Secured Funding for Bright Path
- Children thrive when they have the right support, and Bright Path helps make that possible. On behalf of the NJ YMCA State Alliance, TZG’s Beth Dohm and Karlito Almeda locked in funding for this evidence-informed social-emotional learning program, which reaches tens of thousands of children. By building confidence, resilience, communication, and emotional well-being, Bright Path equips young people with the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
- Sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo (D), Senator Linda Greenstein (D), Asw. Eliana Pintor Marin (D) and Asw. Ellen Park (D)
Legislative Wins
- Smoother Ownership Transitions for Health Clubs
- When a health club changes ownership, members often end up caught in the middle. Representing the International Franchise Association (IFA), TZG’s Eric Orlando and Karlito Almeda successfully secured amendments that create a smoother transition for businesses while preserving important consumer protections. The changes clarified that members are notified only after a sale is finalized, avoiding unnecessary disruption during the transaction. Customers also now have up to seven days before the effective billing date to opt out if their services and rates stay the same, or opt in if there are material changes to services or rates are proposed.
- Sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz (D), Senator Raj Mukherji (D), Asm. William Spearman (D) and Asm. William Sampson (D)
On the Governor’s Desk
Next stop: the Governor’s desk. These bills have passed both houses of the Legislature and await the governor’s signature. Over the next 45 days, the Governor can sign them into law, veto them or send them back to the Legislature with recommended changes.
- Modernizing New Jersey’s Craft Brewery Laws
- Building on New Jersey’s 2023 alcohol reform law and regulations recently adopted by the NJ Division of Alcohol Beverage Control in January 2026, TZG’s Eric Orlando and the Brewers Guild of New Jersey worked with lawmakers to refine the legislation, preserving key industry protections. The bill also clarifies the definition of “farm brewery” in the state, requiring these licensees to use at least 51% New Jersey-grown product in the beer they brew onsite.
- Sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal (D) and Asw. Luanne Peterpaul (D)
- NJ Poised to Join the Athletic Trainer Compact
- Working on behalf of the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ), TZG’s Eric Orlando and Karlito Almeda helped advanced legislation that would bring New Jersey into the Athletic Trainer Compact, an interstate agreement making it easier for licensed athletic trainers to practice across participating states. The bill strengthens the healthcare workforce, expands access to care, and ensures patients receive treatment from qualified professionals through stronger multistate oversight.
- Sponsored by Senator Patrick Diegnan (D), Asm. Dan Hutchison (D), Asm. Robert Karabinchak (D) and Asw. Carol Murphy (D)
- Updates to New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Dealer Licensing Laws
- As New Jersey modernizes its motor vehicle dealer licensing laws, TZG’s Beth Dohm and Matt McDermott helped shape legislation that supports innovation while protecting existing businesses and ensuring uninterrupted service for consumers across the state.
- Sponsored by Senator Joseph Lagana (D), Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R), Asm. William Spearman (D) and Asm. Erik Peterson (R)
- Expanding EV Charging Across New Jersey
- As more New Jerseyans switch to electric vehicles, TZG’s Beth Dohm and Matt McDermott secured key amendments that streamline approvals for EV charging infrastructure. The legislation helps expand reliable charging access across the state while maintaining important public safety protections.
- Sponsored by Senator Patrick Diegnan (D), Asm. Clinton Calabrese (D), Asm. William Moen (D) and Asw. Linda Carter (D)
Bills in Motion
While the Legislature is in recess during July and August, our team is already preparing for a busy fall. From advancing current bills to developing new legislation, the work never slows down. Here’s a look at a couple of the bills we’ve been actively working on.
- Introduced Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act
- Every student deserves to feel safe at school. On behalf of the Jack Reid Foundation, TZG’s Beth Dohm and Ken Murphy lined up legislative sponsors and introduced the Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act in both Houses of the Legislature. The bill establishes consistent anti-bullying standards for New Jersey’s nonpublic schools, creating clear procedures for reporting, investigating, documenting, and responding to incidents while improving transparency for families. By closing gaps in student protections, this legislation helps ensure every student has access to a safer, more supportive learning environment.
- Sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal (D), Senator Shirley Turner (D), Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D), Asw. Linda Carter (D) and Asw. Andrea Katz (D)
- Ending Vendor Lock-In for State IT Contracts
- This bill prohibits state software contracts that mandate the use of specific hardware and cloud infrastructure only offered by a sole vendor. Our client Google Cloud worked with TZG’s Eric Orlando to push forward legislation giving New Jersey greater flexibility when purchasing IT and cloud computing services, opening the door to more competition, lower costs and smarter technology investments. The bill passed the Senate and was referred to the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
- Sponsored by Senator Gordon Johnson (D), Senator Patrick Diegnan and Asw. Carol Murphy (D)
About The Zita Group
The Zita Group is a woman-owned government and public affairs firm, both founded and led by Patrizia “Trish” Zita. Our bipartisan, experienced team of strategic consultants is widely respected by elected, appointed and government officials of both parties across New Jersey’s political landscape. We provide our clients unique insights into the decision-making process at the highest levels. We bring to bear credible working relationships with executive branch officials, legislators, and staff. Our team’s effectiveness has been demonstrated again and again by the results we achieve for our clients.
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