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
A quiet Senate race favors Democrats in New Jersey (again)
Democrats have won every U.S. Senate election in New Jersey since 1976, and analysts expect Sen. Cory Booker will extend the streak against Rik Mehta.
State approves scaled-back and delayed JCP&L rate hike
The BPU approved a rate hike that will cost the average customer around $54 a year, starting in November 2021. A management audit is planned.
House races to test if NJ’s blue wave of 2018 was a fluke
Three districts – the 2nd, 3rd and 7th – account for nearly 75% of the over $61 million that's been spent on House races in New Jersey this election.
Election Fortnight: Be patient, as vote results may take weeks
Counties can proces mail-in votes now but not tabulate them until election night. Provisional votes cast at polling places won't be counted until Nov. 10.
NJ may limit need for colleges to refund tuition over COVID
In response to lawsuits seeking refunds fromcolleges, lawmakers take up bills limiting responsibility to do that – and maybe grant immunity from liability.
On ballot: Expanding NJ property tax break to peacetime veterans
Voters will decide whether to expand the $250 veterans’ property tax deduction by making veterans eligible even if they didn’t serve during a time of war.
Tell your county if you get ballots for dead or former residents
Voter registration rolls aren't fully accurate, so ballots have been mailed to people who have moved or passed away.
For 7th straight year, NJ’s business tax climate ranked last
The Tax Foundation's annual report ranks New Jersey in the bottom 10 in four of the five categories it examines. The state has been 50th overall since 2015.
Police push back against bill keeping them from polling places
Sen. Shirley Turner says the restriction on law enforement at election sites and ballot drop boxes is needed to guard against voter intimidation and supression.
NJ homeland security: We’re getting ready for any election trouble
Security officials have been working on election issues for years and plan to start monitoring at 4 a.m. on Election Day, just in case.