Kevin Hagan wants to “Cut the Ties”

When Kevin Hagan was attending the St. Joseph the Carpenter School in Roselle, he could show up on some Fridays without a tie, if he made a $1 contribution to charity instead.

Now a powerful Trenton lobbyist after working as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Jim McGreevey, as Frank Lautenberg’s 2002 campaign manager, executive director of the Democratic State Committee, and chief of staff to Senate President Steve Sweeney, Hagan is now looking to give something back.

Hagan is starting a non-profit called “Cut the Ties,” a grass-roots group that seeks to “help people help people” by encouraging them to contribute to charities in exchange for no longer wearing ties – or whatever they choose – to work.  Hagen says he hasn’t worn a tie in months as a symbolic reminder to give back and help others.

Working with Hagan on the project is another Trenton lobbyist, Sam Weinstein.   Weinstein recently shaved his head to help raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.