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
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.
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.
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.
New Jersey companies expect a recession to hit by 2021
New Jersey companies are getting skittish about the state’s business outlook, according to results from the New Jersey Business and Industry’s annual survey.
NJ moving ahead with proposed law letting college athletes be paid
Though the NCAA has relented on the issue, after California passed a law, legislators say states are moving ahead to ensure it's done timely and correctly.
Consumer groups say slow down on Horizon Blue Cross overhaul
Pending legislation would allow New Jersey's not-for-profit health insurer to change its corporate form and end certain curbs on its spending.
Voter turnout in NJ rose sharply this year … but still low
Turnout was the second-lowest on record, but the 1.6 million voters marked a nearly 39% increase from 2015, the last time state legislative races headlined.
NJ considers another $9.5M for Planned Parenthood, family clinics
Clinics such as Planned Parenthood already get nearly $10.5 million from the state but are declining federal funds due to new abortion-related restrictions.