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
Plan would roll back legalizing some fireworks in NJ
Bill sponsor says some shops have taken advantage of the 2017 law to illegally sell larger fireworks still not allowed in New Jersey.
Five-year local residency rule for police, fire stalls in Senate
The idea is that first responders would be more integrated in the community if they were required to live there for their first five years on the job.
NJ may screen students for depression – but will help follow?
Some education groups and parents ask: What good is a depression screening if schools and the overall mental health system lack the resources to help?
Opioid deaths rose more slowly in New Jersey in June
Opioid-related deaths have risen year-over-year for eight straight months in New Jersey – but the 4% increase in June was the smallest in that stretch.
NJ has less than 100 days to get more people to fill out census
New Jersey’s census response rate is 3.4% behind its 2010 level – not bad for a pandemic, but still increasing the risk of an undercount that could cost the state federal funds or even a seat in Congress.
NJ farms push back against proposed COVID protections for workers
State legislators are looking to put greater pandemic protections for New Jersey farm workers into law.
NJ teachers union and lawmaker say schools not ready to reopen
At a hearing skipped by the Murphy administration, legislators suggest time and effort this summer might be better spent improving remote learning.
Bill seeks weekly COVID-19 tests for NJ child care center staff
State lawmakers are considering whether to require child care centers to test staff members weekly for coronavirus.
NJ lawmakers vote for ending some mandatory minimum sentences
Eight months after a state commission recommended changes, they're finally inching through the Legislature.
Revamped ‘COVID credit’ plan to release inmates early advances
Scaled back in scope and with new notification measures, a plan to grant early prison releases to thousands of state inmates was OK'd by an Assembly panel.