Newsletter: May 27, 2011

Bob Dylan’s Close Encounters with NJ

Bob Dylan, who turned 70 this week, hails from Minnesota and rose to fame playing clubs in Greenwich Village, but as the Hall Institute's Richard Lee explains, Dylan has had several interesting encounters in New Jersey during his seven decades on the planet. Read

Medicare: Republicans’ Waterloo? — Medicare played a significant role in Democrat Kathy Hochul’s upset victory over Republican Jane Corwin in a special congressional election this week. In an opinion piece, William Colon, executive director of the Latino Institute, discusses Medicare and its impact on the political landscape. Read

Special Education Funding Dilemma — Special education programs in New Jersey are becoming more expensive each year, and already are underfunded. Although there is no easy answer to this dilemma, Dr. Salvatore Pizzuro, a disability policy specialist, says it is critical for New Jerseyans to be united in order to solve this and other crises. Read

A Conservative Reformer — Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards describes Otto von Bismarck as a committed conservative and believes his approach to governing offers some valuable lessons for today's conservative leaders. Read


Lee Leaving Hall Institute
For Teaching Position

Hall Institute Communications Director Richard Lee is leaving the institute to accept a position teaching journalism at his alma mater, Saint Bonaventure University.

Lee has served as the Hall Institute’s communication director since its inception in 2005.

Read full announcement

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