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
‘License to drive, not a license to vote’ — Bill set for final OK
A proposal to create a second type of New Jersey driver’s licenses available to immigrants not legally in the United States endorsed by two legislative panels.
Monday vote on marijuana legalization question set in Legislature
Supporters of marijuana legalization outnumbered opponents, as the Legislature held two public hearings in advance of Monday votes on a ballot question.
Marijuana opponents make last-ditch bid to prevent referendum
A burst of legislative activity begins Thursday that could end with a marijuana legislation proposal making it onto New Jersey’s 2020 ballot.
Books, online access … and prisoner re-entry at the library
A prisoner re-entry program in place for a decade at the Long Branch public library is going statewide, due to a federal grant to the New Jersey State Library.
Lawmakers look to bolster NJ solar subsidy without costing you more
A Senate panel advanced a bill that bolsters New Jersey’s solar subsidy, though in a way that doesn’t increase consumer costs beyond what’s already in law.
Immigrants here illegally will need multiple documents for licenses, MVC says
Assembly panel advances bill creating a second category of New Jersey driver’s licenses that would be available to immigrants not legally in the country.
Bear hunt begins again Monday — It could be NJ’s last for a while
The bear hunt is authorized under a 5-year plan approved in 2015, meaning an update is needed next year. That gives Gov. Phil Murphy a chance to veto it.
More changes possible in NJ fight over independent contractor bill
The bill's sponsors say they're now just putting current rules on worker misclassification into law. Opponents insist that's not the case.
Ban advances on plastic bags, Styrofoam in NJ – paper bags, too
Plastic straws would survive, though only available by request. Supermarkets would be required for to give out reusable bags for free for two months.
A solution for school aid cuts: Larger property tax hikes?
A Senate committee Thursday advanced a bill that would green-light larger property tax increases in some school districts losing state aid.