Sarah Palin's selection as the Republican Party's vice-presidential candidate has ignited a furious debate over how the media covers female politicians. Earlier this year, the Hall Institute's Richard Lee authored a white paper examining this very issue. The white paper, A Record Number, But What Does It Mean?, focuses on New Jersey's female lawmakers and their coverage in the state's media outlets, but it also touches on several topics relevant to the national picture.

Ready for Emergencies — With hurricanes and tropical storms wreaking havoc on parts of the nation, Salvatore Pizzuro wonders how well prepared New Jersey is to deal with an emergency situation. Learn more in A KATRINA-LIKE EVENT IN NEW JERSEY: ARE WE PREPARED?

Immigration — How does the federal government really feel about illegal immigration? The Hall Institute's Jarrett Chapin explores this issue in Don't Even Ask About their Parents: The Orphan Road to Citizenship.

When Life Begins — Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched off controversy recently when she she suggested there has not been a consistent line of argument from great Catholic theologians on the issue of when life begins. Read what the Hall Institue's Michael Riccards has to say on this issue in Understanding Nancy, his current Politickernj column.

Visit the Hall Institute online at WWW.HALLNJ.ORG to read these articles and other topical material:

• Riccards on New Jersey 2008 — A blog on our state's expanded role in the 2008 presidential race.
• Rich Lee on Media — Musings on those who make the news and those who report it.
• A School Funding Scrapbook — Commentary on education issues and policy.
• Hall Institute Forum — Our public affairs television program.
• Hall Institute Radio Podcast Forum — Audio discussion of timely and topical public policy issues.
• White Papers
• Research Essays
• Op-Ed Articles
• Press Releases

The Hall Institute is a non-partisan, not-for-profit foundation established to explore social, economic, educational and cultural issues. Since its inception in 2005, the institute has posted more than 400 white papers, research essays and op-ed articles on its website at www.hallnj.org in an effort to generate debate and discussion and develop solutions to the problems confronting the state and its residents.

The institute has conducted several special events, including NJ2008, a series of public forums on the state’s role in the 2008 presidential campaign. In 2006, the institute presented an online Virtual Debate among the candidates in New Jersey's U.S. Senate race. At present, we are sponsoring a Similar Virtual Debate for the state's 2008 U.S. Senate election.

The organization produces public affairs television, podcasts and blogs, and also has published two books -- The State of the Garden State and Reaction and Reform in New Jersey. Both are compilations of the major papers posted on its website. A third volume, Creating A Common Future: New Jersey and Public Policy, is posted on the Hall Institute website.

Earlier this year, the institute acquired the Bay Area Center for Voting Research, a non-partisan think tank based in Berkeley, California, leading to the start of the Hall Institute of Public Policy – California.

Located in Trenton directly across from the New Jersey State House, the institute was established by George E. Hall, a successful business executive and a leading philanthropist who lives in Middletown, N.J.