With economy in turmoil, perhaps it is time to return to the New Deal and institute a new and different type of job creation initiative. Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards outlines a plan for such an initiative in Employing People, his current PolitickerNJ column.

Slush, Pork and Other Muck— Now that testimony in the trial of former State Senator Wayne Bryant has pulled back the curtain on how certain state grant monies were doled out, Linda Stamato believes it is incumbent upon both political parties to work together to address the problem. Read more in A New Diet For New Jersey: End Pork Politics.

Movies and Politics— W., the new Oliver Stone movie about George W. Bush opens today. For a look at political films that may hold a special interest for New Jerseyans, read At the Movies by the Hall Institute’s Richard Lee.

Focus Group— The Hall Institute is wrapping up our online focus group on the presidential debates. There's still time to voice your opinion by posting a comment at hallnj.blogspot.com, sending an email to hall.institute.nj2008@blogger.com, or texting 1-646-379-4231.

• 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.
• 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. Our weekly email newsletter is sent to organizations and individuals with an interest in the material posted on our website at www.hallnj.org.

Since its inception three years ago, the institute has emerged as a leading voice for public policy in New Jersey. More than 200 papers, on topics ranging from health care to education to property taxes, have been posted on our website.

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 NJ2008, a special section on New Jersey's role in the 2008 presidential campaign.

In addition to our other activities, the institute 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.

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