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
Lawmakers say toll hike hearings ‘outrageous’ during pandemic
Some state lawmakers are criticizing the Murphy administration for pushing forward with plans to raise tolls on New Jersey’s three toll roads.
Room and board refunds: NJ colleges start announcing plans
Schools are at different points in the process of compensating displaced students for the room and board they couldn’t use when coronavirus closed campuses.
Mortgage relief for many in NJ — but not for everyone
Three-month mortgage forbearance limited to those directly impacted economically by COVID-19, with eligibility decided by lenders on a case-by-case basis.
NJ approves millions to help small businesses survive coronavirus
The state estimates 3,000 to 5,000 small businesses in New Jersey could benefit from the new initiatives, which may ramp up further with federal funds.
Nearly 156,000 in NJ file for unemployment — up over 1,500%
Jump of 155,815 fueled by COVID-19 was a 16-fold increase from the week before and more than three times greater than any week on record.
NJ Assembly votes by phone to approve five virus-response bills
The content of the legislation took a backseat to the way the voting session itself was conducted – by phone, with just one lawmaker in Trenton.
Murphy pleased with $2T stimulus bill but says more needed later
Unlike New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who blasted the deal reached in Congress, Gov. Phil Murphy says he'll take it. "God knows we need it."
NJ freezes $920M in spending, including property tax credits
The Murphy administration shifts appropriated funds into reserve, girding for the upheaval to the state budget anticipated due to the novel coronavirus.
Meager surplus leaves NJ budget extra vulnerable to virus shock
Like all states, New Jersey’s state finances will feel the effects of the coronavirus. But its budget will suffer acutely due to its pre-existing condition.
NJ orders commercial labs to share all COVID-19 test results
Unlike some states, New Jersey health officials haven't been receiving and sharing full data about the number of residents tested for the novel coronavirus.