Party of Pessimism — In an opinion piece, Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards reflects on the Tea Party and a recent poll that showed its members are generally better educated, white, older and more conservative than the nation as a whole. Read

Time Change — Starting this week, our weekly email newsletter is coming to you on Friday afternoons instead of in the morning. The change will allow us to better integrate the newsletter with some of our new media features. Visit us online any time at www.hallnj.org.

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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.