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
Their plan: If Murphy shuts businesses for COVID, pay compensation
Under the GOP lawmakers' proposal, business owners could go to court and seek to prove they lost income or whole businesses due to ordered shutdowns.
Horizon Blue Cross restructuring again up for debate
A bill has been introduced in the Senate to allow New Jersey's largest health insurer to convert to a mutual holding company.
Big wineries delivering in NJ? Legislature mulls the idea
Bills are being considered that would allow large wineries to directly ship to consumers and for permits for wine consultants who oversee private tastings.
New ideas sought for NJ’s other epidemic: Drug overdoses
Mandatory rehab after Narcan saves. Mobile vans to transport people from police bookings to treatment. Bringing substance-abuse experts on police ridealongs.
Concerns about people high at work delay pot legalization vote
Senate adds random drug testing and tests for any suspicion to the bill, which evisions new industry of certified 'workplace impairment recognition experts.'
Marijuana legalization bill stalls again after committees endorse
Senate and Assembly bills have some key differences in terms of how revenues would be spent and whether to limit growers as the industry gets started.
Legislative leaders: Let’s get NJ back to in-person elections
Vote-by-mail will remain an option, as it was before the pandemic, but in-person voting, including early machine voting, is preferred for 2021.
It’s official: NJ borrows $4.3 billion to balance its 2021 budget
After interest-only payments are made in 2021 and 2022, yearly payments are expected to be slightly more than $500 million for the 10 years that follow.
NJ approves $87 million for library construction: Full list
It has now been three years since New Jersey voters approved borrowing $125 million to support library construction work.
Assembly’s not hot on ‘shrooms — they’re holding up pot decriminalization
Senate votes 29-4 to decriminalize the posession of up to 6 ounces of marijuana. Assembly schedules a Monday voting session, but no word if a vote is planned.