Hall Institute of Public Policy

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR'S STATEMENT ON GERALD FORD

Presidential Scholar Michael P. Riccards, Executive Director of the Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey, issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former President Gerald Ford:

"Gerald Ford was the right president at the right time; a decent man who was respected by both parties and a good choice to suceed Nixon after the nightmare of Watergate."

HALL INSTITUTE STATEMENT ON SENATE DEBATES

George E. Hall, founder of the Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey, issued the following statement today regarding the debates between U.S. Senate candidates Thomas H. Kean Jr. and Robert Menendez:

"The Hall Institute is hopeful the Senate candidates will reach an agreement that will allow for a live televised debate on New Jersey Network. Debate and discussion are essential components of the electoral process. This is one of the primary reasons the Hall Institute is sponsoring an online, virtual debate for New Jersey's U.S. Senate candidates.

HALL INSTITUTE STATEMENT ON PROPERTY TAX PROPOSAL
NJ Needs to Address Structural Problems

Michael P. Riccards, Executive Director of the Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey, issued the following statement today regarding the property tax reform proposal announced by Senate President Codey and Assembly Speaker Roberts:

"New Jersey’s problems are increasingly structural, built into our way of doing things, and also political, our way of governing ourselves. To succeed and truly produce property tax reform, the state must be willing to make difficult and unpopular decisions that will address the continuing hemorrhaging of expenditures resulting from excessive pensions, the large number of expensive municipal and school units, and unaccountable education and higher education operations.

"High property taxes are a major reason why New Jersey is becoming increasingly uncompetitive with other states. It is extremely difficult for young people to buy homes and for the elderly to keep them. The state must change the factors that ultimately drive people out of New Jersey.

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The Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey is a non-partisan, not-for-profit foundation established to explore social, economic, educational and cultural issues. Located in Trenton directly across from the New Jersey State House, the Institute has posted a series of white papers, research essays and op-ed articles on its website at www.hallnj.org.

The Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey will propose a "virtual debate" for New Jersey's United States Senate race. The virtual debate -- the first of its type in New Jersey -- would be hosted on the Hall Institute website at www.hallnj.org. The Hall Institute, founded by George Hall, is a non-partisan, not-for-profit foundation established to explore social, economic, educational and cultural issues in New Jersey.