The People's Seat

Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards, who spent several years in Massachusetts as a college president, dissects the factors that led to Republican Scott Brown's stunning election to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. Read

Hall Institute Debuts
Online TV Program

The Hall Institute’s new interactive public affairs program on New Jersey public policy issues premiered last week.

Viewers were able to participate in a live chat and pose questions to the program’s host, Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards, and his guest, Michael Presutti, who discussed his proposal to combine an occupational training program with an urban renewal effort designed to rehabilitate criminal offenders and the physical communities where they often live.

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Has There Been Too Much Change in NJ? — In New Jersey, we have had our share of public policy problems over the past decade, and there has been the usual finger-pointing to identify the factors responsible for our troubles. But one topic that rarely enters the discussion is the fact that we have had so many changes in leadership over the past 10 years. Read

Bond Ratings Seminar — With bond ratings of New Jersey communities being reduced faster than in any other state, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities has scheduled a special program on this issue for municipal officials. The event will take place on February 2 at the Meyner Reception Center in Holmdel. Click for Details

www.hallnj.org — Our Home Page
Facebook — Become a fan of the Hall Institute
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Flickr — View photos of our events and activities
On the Air — Our podcasts on timely, topical public policy issues
Comments & Commentary — Observations on state and national issues from Michael P. Riccards
richleeonline — Commentary and analysis from Richard A. Lee
Hall Institute Video — Our public affairs television programming

The Hall Institute is a non-partisan, not-for-profit foundation established to explore social, economic, educational and cultural issues. Our goal is to foster constructive debate and discussion and build a stronger, better New Jersey.

Since our inception in 2005, the Hall Institute has been at the forefront of public policy in our state. We conduct research and present public forums on timely topical issues, such as public pensions, health care reform and higher education funding. The institute has had a strong presence in New Jersey’s last three statewide elections by sponsoring online “virtual debates” that provide citizens with substantive information on where the candidates stand on the major issues confronting our state.

The Hall Institute website features more than 400 papers and provides a platform for individuals and organizations to express opinions and offer ideas and suggestions.

We also produce our own public affairs television program and use podcasts, blogs and social networking to share our work and seek feedback. In addition to our other activities, the institute 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 our website. A third volume, Creating A Common Future: New Jersey and Public Policy, was published online.

Located in Trenton at 224 West State Street, the institute was established by George E. Hall, a successful business executive and a leading philanthropist who lives in Middletown, N.J.

WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND IDEAS, AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUBMIT PAPERS FOR OUR WEBSITE. CONTACT US AT INFO@HALLNJ.ORG.