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
Who will pay to upgrade NJ’s voting technology?
Counties are preparing to adopt the latest in election technology – but progress could depend on whether and when the state pays for the upgrade.
59 towns in NJ where property taxes actually went down last year
The average property tax bill in New Jersey last year was $8,767, a modest increase of 0.9% from 2017.
NJ close to ending ‘religious’ exemptions for vaccines
NJ's second measles outbreak in seven months may prompt the Legislature to tighten up New Jersey’s vaccination rules by eliminating religious exemptions.
Electric bills to rise as NJ approves nuclear plant subsidies
The BPU approved a subsidy sought by PSEG for its Salem County nuclear plants, which is likely to raise electric bills for New Jersey homes around $40 a year.
Pediatric cancer patients join push for new NJ research fund
With the help of kids who’ve been fighting cancer, a lawmaker renews a bid to allow contributions to a pediatric cancer research fund on income tax returns.
Atlantic City, Princeton Dinky rail service to return May 12
Rail service on NJT’s Atlantic City and Princeton Branch lines will begin May 12 – two weeks sooner than scheduled, though four months after some expected.
NJ seeking volunteer mentors for veterans court program
A program created in late 2017 to divert some veterans out of the criminal-justice system and into mental health services has slowly gotten off the ground.
NJ’s economic competitiveness still ranks ‘pretty darn low’
New Jersey ranks 46th among the states for economic competitiveness in annual ALEC study. Take it with a pro-corporate grain of salt, say progressive critics.
‘Don’t Drive Intexticated’ — AAA likens phones in cars to DWI
AAA Mid-Atlantic on Monday kicked off a multi-year campaign designed to make cell phone use by drivers as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving.
Murphy, Sweeney team up to promote spending more on preschool
Gov. Phil Murphy's first budget provided preschool expansion grants to 64 districts. His second includes $25 million to further spread full-day pre-K.