I'm the Statehouse bureau chief for New Jersey 101.5, covering the governor, Legislature and state politics, and had previously covered the Statehouse for Gannett newspapers for more than 15 years. I'm a lifelong New Jerseyan -- raised in Bergen, living in Hunterdon, Rutgers graduate. I'm co-author of the 2012 biography 'Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power.' I am not the Iron Chef with a similar name though sometimes get tweets meant for him, especially around Thanksgiving. Believe me, you don't want my cooking tips.
Michael Symons
GOP senator questions use of COVID aid for State Police salaries
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal says the use of CARES Act money to pay for State Police salaries and overhead complies with federal guidelines.
Grewal says ‘de-policing’ a real issue after pot legalization law
State racing to develop training for police so they're comfortable with how marijuana and alcohol possession among youth are to be handled.
Over 1,300 childcare centers in NJ remain closed, some forever
Nearly 400 childcare centers in New Jersey have closed permanently, and more than 900 others are temporarily closed but plan to reopen.
NJ itching to exit federal monitor for its child welfare system
It's been 15 years since a federal monitor was put in place, as part of the modified settlement of a 1999 lawsuit over New Jersey's foster care system.
Skepticism of Murphy plan for another two years of free college
Governor seeks $50 million in new budget for the Garden State Guarantee, providing two tuition-free years at four-year colleges for eligible students.
NJ hopes to head off nation’s worst eviction crisis post-COVID
Two months after the public health emergency eventually lifts, evictions that have been on hold since last March will surge. Federal aid can help reduce it.
With no FDA, NJ considers how to ensure safe, legal marijuana
Industry representatives tell lawmakers a system of third-party laboratories to test products and check labeling will be needed to assure safety for consumers.
As water bills grow, NJ urged to consider fund to help residents
Water, sewer and wastewater upgrades are likely to be costly, not to mention other climate change resiliency measures to address rising seas and floods.
NJ property taxes went up again in 2020 — but not in these 55 towns
Last year saw the the highest increase in the statewide tax levy in a decade,
Lawmakers to NJ’s education chief: Get schools reopened faster
Frequent topics at a Senate hearing on the Department of Education budget included school reopenings, spending of federal aid and the delayed assessments.