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
GOP keeps focus on Murphy saying NJ not for voters worried about taxes
Gov. Phil Murphy, as he's done before, says NJ wouldn't be the choice for those who care only about taxes. He says state is attractive due to other strengths.
Lawsuit: NJ schools are illegally segregated
A hearing is scheduled for next week in state court in a desegregation lawsuit that could have monumental impacts on public education across New Jersey.
Republicans look to reverse Assembly slide in Murphy midterms
In the last quarter-century, Republicans have shrunk from 58 to 26 seats in the Assembly. Democrats are jockeying for even more gains in once-red suburbs.
NJ looks to boost — even mandate — parent involvement in schools
Joint Committee on the Public Schools explores parental involvement in education in a Statehouse hearing.
NJ to make schools test water for lead twice as often
New Jersey's latest actions related to lead in school water: Tests every three years, a searchable database of reports and priority for infrastructure funds.
Task force, Murphy call for ban on flavored vapes in New Jersey
Panel also calls for restricting online sales, increasing penalties for stores and employee who sell to people under 21 & a possible ban on menthol cigarettes.
NJ Board of Ed refuses, for now, to advance new graduation rules
Rebuffing the Murphy administration, at least temporarily, the State Board of Education declined to green light changes to high school assessment program.
Most of NJ for action against plastic bags & straws, poll says
Nearly two-thirds of New Jerseyans back a ban on plastic bags, though support drops when asked about the details. A slim majority would ban plastic straws.
NJ task force spends hours on question of banning vape flavors
A task force appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy heard more than three hours of testimony for and against a sweeping crackdown on electronic cigarettes.
Superstorm Sandy caused $3B in health impacts, says new report
More than $540 million in illness-related costs were inflicted in New Jersey by Superstorm Sandy, according to a new report on health and climate change.