Archer & Greiner's Government Affairs e-Newsletter: Tight Government Budgets Mean Need for Advocacy; Ex-Crime Fighters Now Work for Clients; Philly Lobbying Alert; and More...

Government Affairs e-Newsletter March 2012

With Budget Debates in Full Swing, Effective Advocacy Sure to Be a Factor

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett's proposed budget contains deep cuts in several areas, including higher education and social services. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has sent the Legislature a budget based on what's been called the nation's most optimistic - even unrealistic - revenue projections. And Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has proposed a spending plan that would boost revenues by approximately $90 million through an overhaul of the city's property tax assessment system.

Not surprisingly, all three budget proposals have spurred intense debate, as elected officials work with limited resources to address seemingly unlimited needs and wants. Archer & Greiner's Government Affairs Group works closely with the firm's other Practice Groups - including Nonprofit Law, Education Law and Real Estate Tax Appeal - to make certain our clients reach the right people with a well-crafted message. Contact a member of the Group for more information on how we can help.

Corbett Promises Drastic Budget Cuts (MyFoxPhilly.com)

Gov. Christie's budget projection is the most optimistic in nation (Star-Ledger)

City: New assessment system to bring in about $90M (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Former Prosecutors Put Skills, Experience to Work for Clients

Lynne Abraham: Trailblazing Leader Helps Clients Thrive

It's no hyperbole to L.Abraham say that Lynne Abraham is perhaps the best-known and most influential woman ever to serve as a governmental official in the Philadelphia region.

Lynne's almost 19-year tenure as Philadelphia's first female District Attorney established her not only as tough but fair on crime, but also as a compassionate protector of the less fortunate. But that's just one in a long list of Lynne's "firsts" - first female Judge elected to Philadelphia's Municipal Court; first female Executive Director of Philadelphia's Redevelopment Authority; and first female named Outstanding Young Leader of Philadelphia by the Jaycees.

Lynne was also one of the first district attorneys in the country to form a nonprofit foundation operating in a DA's office when she founded Urban Genesis Inc. to promote community leadership and provide grants to improve neighborhoods and help the needy.

Today, Lynne serves a diverse base of clients in Archer & Greiner's Philadelphia office in a range of matters, including governmental affairs.

Lynne's Bio

Philadelphia Business Journal Profile

Vince Sarubbi's Vision, Advocacy a Boon to Businesses

As Prosecutor of the County of Camden, N.J., Vince Sarubbi faced plenty of challenges, given that the County's 37 municipalities include the City of Camden, one of the nation's poorest and most crime-ridden cities.

Yet Vince was not content to limit his role as Prosecutor to the traditional "arrest and prosecute" model. He conceived and directed innovative crime-prevention initiatives to address such issues as bullying at school violence and domestic violence, including a training program to help emergency room personnel recognize the signs and respond effectively.

These initiatives required Vince to cultivate relationships and cooperation with a wide variety of governmental, business and civic leaders, as well as from the community as a whole. Through this and additional experience - 25 years as a practicing attorney, service as a Camden County Freeholder and Freeholder Director, leadership roles with major businesses and civic organizations - Vince has gained a unique perspective and skill set related to governmental and community relations.

Vince's Bio

Philadelphia Adjusts Procedure for 1st Quarter Lobbying Expense Report

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics issued an advisory on March 26 announcing alterations in lobbying expense report filing procedures for the first quarter of 2012. The change results from the fact that the expense report function of the online electronic filing system will not be available by the April 30 filing deadline. Read the full advisory by clicking here.

Richard Mroz Among Top Lawyer-Lobbyists in New Rankings

Richard S. "Rick" Mroz of Archer & Greiner's Government Affairs Practice Group ranked among the top 10 lawyer-lobbyists in New Jersey during 2011, according to new figures released by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJELEC).

Rick joined Archer & Greiner last year. He formerly served as Chief Counsel to former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and, as a Cabinet member, advised the Governor and her administration on a variety of issues, including regulatory, development and redevelopment matters. Prior to being named Chief Counsel, Rick was Director of the Authorities Unit, serving as Gov. Whitman's counsel for and liaison to the State's largest independent agencies such as the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. In that role, he oversaw and negotiated agreements on numerous public and public-private development and redevelopment projects, including personally negotiating the public-private Road Development Agreements with Mirage Resorts (now MGM) for the Atlantic City-Brigantine Roadway Connector.

He can be reached at rmroz@archerlaw.com or (856) 354-3140.

Archer & Greiner Government Affairs: Experience, Know-How

The Archer & Greiner Government Affairs Group also includes:

(Click on name for additional information)

Albert Burstein, former New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader

Carlton L. Johnson, former Chief Deputy Philadelphia City Solicitor

Robert J. Fogg, former Director of Licensing & Certification, N.J. Department of Health

Steven B. Harz, former Mayor, Closter, N.J.

Linda D. Perkins, former Chief Assistant Philadelphia District Attorney