As 2008 comes to a close, the Hall Institute's Richard Lee reflects upon New Jersey's most significant public policy developments of the year -- a task that requires speculating about the long-term impact of decisions made over the past 12 months. Read

Blogging Out Hunger— New Jersey bloggers united this week to conduct an innovative and successful campaign to fight hunger in the Garden State. The initiative already has raised about $6,000 and donations still are coming in. Read

Created Equal?— Is there civilization without Christianity? Dinesh D’Souza, the author of What’s So Great About Christianity argues in Imprimis that there isn't. Read

• Rich Lee on Media — Musings on those who make the news and those who report it.
• School Funding — Commentary and analysis on educational issues.
• Michael P. Riccards — The Hall Institute Executive Director's Column on PolitickerNJ.
• 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.