As 2011 approaches, the Hall Institute looks forward to providing New Jerseyans with another year of commentary and analysis on the major public policy issues confronting our state. We also extend a warm thank you to all of our followers and supporters who helped to make 2010 our best year ever.

January

The Hall Institute launches a new interactive video program on New Jersey public policy issues called The Hall Institute Forum. The 30-minute public affairs talk show enables viewers to participate in a live chat and pose questions to the program’s host and guests.

The institute also expands its use of social media by starting its own Facebook page.

February

Under the leadership of Executive Director Michael P. Riccards in his role as Chairman of the New Jersey Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Hall Institute unveils a series of programs and lectures on Abraham Lincoln.

The institute continues its social media initiatives with Jersey Junction, a new weekly podcast on state issues hosted by Communications Director Richard Lee and Michael Shapiro of The Alternative Press.

March

The Hall Institute holds its 2010 Gala Reception at the Hilton East Brunswick and presents Angelo J. Genova, Esq., with its Annual Achievement Award.

April

Communications Director Richard Lee is one of the speakers at How to Tell a Good Story, a communication arts program at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, N.Y.

Today’s News NJ, a non-partisan blog focusing on media reform, names Lee its Writer of the Year.

May

A World Magazine cover story on how states are grappling with budget issues includes commentary from Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards.

The National Post, a national newspaper in Canada, turns to Communications Director Richard Lee for analysis of Eliot Spitzer's chances of returning to elected office.

June

Executive Director Michael P. Riccards testifies before the State Senate Legislative Oversight Committee in support of a bill establishing an elected state comptroller.

At an Author and Book Signing Program in Trenton, Communications Director Richard Lee interviews Stephanie R. Bush-Baskette, Esq., Ph.D., on her new book Misguided Justice - The War on Drugs and the Incarceration of Black Women.

Lee travels to Rome, Italy, where he begins teaching a five-week media and elections course at John Cabot University.

July

While in Rome, Communications Director Richard Lee joins Dr. Gianpietro Mazzoleni of the University of Milan for a joint lecture on the state of media and elections in Italy and the U.S.

The Hall Institute posts The Next New Newspaper? Analyzing Policy Information and Advocacy in Interest Group Websites, a study exploring new opportunities for interest groups in light of cutbacks at newspapers. The study was conducted by Bob Sommer, a lecturer at the Institute of Planning and Public Policy Communications at Rutgers' Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy; and two recent graduates of the school -- John R. Maycroft and Stephen Van Maren.

The institute reacts to a new state report on New Jersey’s gaming, sports and entertainment industries with What does New Jersey stand to lose if there is no horse racing in the State?, a paper authored by Karyn Malinowski, director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center.

August

The Hall Institute posts Directions to Bergen City: Consolidating Bergen County’s Municipalities: The Case for Creating Bergen City, a report from Ramapo College Finance Professor Murray Sabrin suggesting that Bergen County consolidate its 70 municipalities into one city.

Communications Director Richard Lee moderates The Elephant in the Room, a panel discussion on immigration sponsored by Today’s News NJ at the New Jersey State House Annex.

September

The Hall Institute begins an online virtual debate for New Jersey's Congressional elections.

Executive Director Michael P. Riccards, the author of a study titled Frank Sinatra and the Moods of America, speaks about Sinatra at the 11th Annual Mercer County Italian-American Festival.

At a special legislative hearing at the Meadowlands, Hall Institute founder George E. Hall testifies on the importance of horse racing to New Jersey.

Just prior to the start of a second hearing on the issue, the institute posts Richard Lee’s research essay on the topic -- A More Robust Analysis Is Needed Before New Jersey Maps A Plan For the Future of Our Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Industries.

Hall rings the NASDAQ Stock Market closing bell in his role as founder of the George E. Hall Childhood Diabetes Foundation.

The Hall Institute posts Cellphones, Texting and the Dangers of Driving, a report by Linda Stamato of Rutgers University on the actions needed to curb this dangerous practice.

October

Communications Director Richard Lee presents a paper on the role that the arts play in disseminating information during times of war at the 2010 Midwest Popular Culture Association/Midwest American Culture Association Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lee takes part in Communication Matters – “For” and “In” the Moment, a panel discussion on rhetoric, at the New York State Communication Association’s 68th Annual Conference in Ellenville, N.Y.

November

The Hall Institute co-sponsors the New Jersey State Society's Election Watch Party at McLoone's Pier House, National Harbor, Md.

Communications Director Richard A. Lee provides live election night commentary for New York Nonstop, WNBC’s digital television channel.

Lee is one of the speakers at a seminar held at Rutgers University for a group of Korean journalists visiting the United States.

The institute participates in the New Jersey State League of Municipalities 95th Annual Conference in Atlantic City and conducts a straw poll to measure public opinion on adding slot machines at the Meadowlands racetrack.

The institute posts The Newark Budget Debacle: What Happens Next? , a report on the city’s potential fiscal crisis by Columbia University economics professor Brendan O'Flaherty.

December

The Hall Institutes adds a special Future of NJ Gaming section to its website to follow developments in the state’s gaming, professional sports, and entertainment industries through a series of research pieces, op-ed articles, reports and other materials related to gaming issues.

• www.hallnj.org — Visit our Home Page.
• Facebook — Like the Hall Institute.
• Twitter — Follow the Hall Institute.
• Flickr — View photos of our events and activities.
• On the Air — Listen to our podcasts on topical issues in the Garden State.
• Comments & Commentary — Read opinion pieces and observations from Michael P. Riccards.
• richleeonline — Catch commentary and analysis from Richard A. Lee.
• Hall Institute Video — View 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.