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
Your gas tax dollars at work: NJ speeds up road work projects
A new state law makes some changes to how New Jersey manages transportation construction.
Murphy’s back from vacation and trying spark NJ economy
Gov. Phil Murphy signed two economy-related bills into law, toured Nokia Bell Labs and took part in 'innovation summit' panel discussion.
NJ attorney general calls rise in reported bias incidents ‘a crisis’
Murphy administration creates task force on youth bias in response to report showing bias incidents on the rise in New Jersey.
Lt. Gov. Oliver: Employers that steal wages ‘no longer welcome’ in NJ
New Jersey is toughening its law against wage theft. Business group says it criminalizes inadvertent mistakes.
3 new NJ laws to combat gun violence — but not through gun control
They come in the wake of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio.
No meltdown: NJ home values rise, despite fears of tax law
Despite warnings that 2017 federal tax changes would hurt New Jersey home prices, to date the market has mirrored national trends: Rising values, fewer sales.
NJ partners with hospitals to develop affordable housing
Hospitals are New Jersey’s latest partner on affordable housing development, with a $12 million pilot program underway. A Paterson project is first.
Tuition-free county college: Applications now open
Community college students have until Sept. 15 to apply for financial aid and – if their incomes are $65,000 or less – have a tuition-free school year.
Mixed grades for NJ on latest cancer policy report card
New Jersey meets American Cancer Society policy recommendations in just three of eight areas evaluated in the group's latest annual report card.
How lack of arbitration cap is reshaping police contract talks
Life after the arbitration cap expired: Slightly higher contract awards, though still close to the 2% tax levy cap. But more aggressive asks by police unions.