As Barack Obama taps into New Jersey for his cabinet, a history professor at Rutgers University explores the president-elect's overall cabient selection process, drawing comparisons with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Read more in A “NEW DEAL” MODEL FOR THE OBAMA CABINET by Norman Markowitz.

Keeping Court Documents Sealed— Should all court documents be accessible to the public? In the wake of a recent court ruling involving the settlement for a child paralyzed by a drunk driver, Linda Stamato examines this issue in SECRECY, SETTLEMENT AND THE PUBLIC GOOD.

The Price of Gas— Are low gas prices really a bargain? In Don’t Be Lulled By Low Gas Prices, Michael Shapiro brings the true costs of fuel to our attention and calls for energy independence.

The Economic Fallout for the Disabled— People with disabilities are being impacted especially hard by the economic downturn, as Salvatore Pizzuro explains in The Economic Downturn and its Impact on New Jerseyans with Disabilities.

• 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.
• School Funding — Commentary and analysis on educational 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. 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 in 2005, the institute has emerged as a leading voice for public policy in New Jersey. More than 400 papers, on topics ranging from health care to education to property taxes, have been posted on our website.

In 2006 and 2008, the institute presented online Virtual Debates among the candidates in New Jersey's U.S. Senate race. We also sponsored 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 State House, the institute was established by George E. Hall, a successful business executive and a leading philanthropist who lives in Middletown, N.J.