Newsletter: June 24, 2011

The Morning After

During a marathon session yesterday, the State Assembly approved pension and health benefits reform and passed a resolution to block the transfer of the New Jersey Network to WNET in New York. In an opinion piece, Dr. Salvatore Pizzuro reflects upon these actions and what they mean for the future of our state. Read

Remembering the Big Man — Politics and entertainment intersected yesterday when flags in New Jersey were flown at half-staff in tribute to the late Clarence Clemons, but as the Hall Institute's Richard Lee explains, there may be a lasting lesson that politicians can learn from the Big Man. Read

Parallel Universes and the Alien Invasion — William Colon, executive director of the Latino Institute, reflects on immigrants -- documented and undocumented -- and the parallel universe in which they live. Read

Riccards' Statement
On Pension Bill

Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards, who has conducted extensive research on New Jersey’s public pension system, issued this statement yesterday after the State Assembly gave final legislative approval to pension reform legislation:

“This bill is an important bipartisan first step to deal with two major problems -- pensions and public employee and retiree health care. The Governor, the Senate President and the Speaker all deserve credit for protecting the taxpayer and the employees.”

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