As 2010 begins, 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 2009 our best year ever.

When a baseball team fires its manager, the new person takes over the next day. But when voters select someone new to run our communities, states and nation, we have to wait more than two months for change to take effect. With this in mind, the Hall Institute's Richard Lee suggests that we re-think how we transfer the reigns of power.

The Atlantic City economy is important not just for the city, but for the entire state -- and the key to its economic success may lie in the city’s ability to draw tourists for reasons not primarily related to gambling. Michael Busler, an Associate Professor of Finance and a Fellow at the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Richard Stockton College, explains why in How To Rescue Atlantic City's Economy.

Regardless of where you stand on the volatile issue of same-sex marriage, you deserve a decision from the New Jersey State Legislature.

The greatest change in the communication field over the past few years may not have been a technological one but a fundamental shift in the relationship between the news media and the people and organizations they cover.