Newsletter: March 4, 2011

Post Rally Study: An Analysis of Cops and Crime Rates

A day after thousands of police officers and firefighters rallied in Trenton against cuts, the Hall Institute posts a research essay by David J. Moody examining the relationship between law enforcement staff reductions and crime rates. Read

Teacher Tenure — With massive economic challenges confronting states and the cities, critics of teacher tenure now have another powerful weapon --- financial exigency -- to end the last-hired/first-fired provisions of contracts. Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards reflects on this development in Dealing With Tenure.

Grading the Governor's Budget — Hall Institute Communication Director Richard Lee gives Governor Christie an A in politics for the state budget he introduced, and an incomplete in leadership. Read

The Politics of Redistricting — Lee will be among the panelists at the New Jersey Political Science Association's annual conference next week. He will discuss the impact of redistricting on the state Legislature and Congressional Delegation. The session takes place Friday, March 11, at the Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick.

Gaming Industry Forum
Set for March 31

New Jersey’s gaming industries will be the focus of a March 31 forum sponsored by Rutgers University’s School of Public Affairs and Administration and the Hall Institute.

Experts from the casino and horseracing industries will discuss the status of gaming in New Jersey, the bills recently signed into law by Governor Christie, and options for the future, including sports betting and slot machines at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Read more

About the Hall Institute

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.
224 West State Street | Trenton, NJ 08608 | Phone: 609.392.2237 | Fax: 609.392.2477 | www.hallnj.org