This week’s economic developments have fueled speculation about how the nation’s faltering fiscal health will impact the 2008 presidential election. But looking further ahead to 2009, what does the fiscal crisis mean for New Jersey's next gubernatorial race? The Hall Institute's Richard Lee explores this question in The Economic Crisis and the 2009 Campaign for Governor in New Jersey.

Vice Presidents — Throughout American history, the vice-presidency has been an important stepping stone for ambitious politicians. How this will play out in 2008 is one of several topics the Hall Institute's Michael Riccards examines in Beyond Moose Skins, his current Politickernj column.

Rutgers Stadium — Private fundraising efforts to help pay for a stadium expansion at Rutgers University are failing, according to attorney Michael M. Shapiro. In an opinion piece on the project, Shapiro attempts to answer the question: Who Are The Real Losers In The Rutgers Stadium Debacle?

Virtual Debate — Not all of this fall's campaign action is taking place on the national level. Visit the Hall Institute Virtual Debate to learn where New Jersey's candidates for U.S. Senate stand on the major issues confronting our state and our nation.

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.