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
NJ Local Officials, Unions Ally For Last-gasp Bid to Head Off Tax Hike
They want the state to provide $350 million toward grants to offset the impact of higher health care premiums. They promise $100 million in recurring savings.
NJ Abandons Plan to Require Costly Electric Boiler Upgrades
The proposal affecting mid-sized commercial boilers would have taken effect in 2025, part of a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from buildings.
Bill Would Make NJ First With Bike Helmet Mandate For Adults
Legislation introduced this week would expand the bicycling helmet law to people over age 17 in New Jersey.
States Move to Ban TikTok – Could NJ Join Them?
While a handful of states have moved to ban TikTok from their employees’ computers and phones, New Jersey officials haven’t made a similar move but have had discussions about apps that pose potential security risks.
NJ Judges Allow Bear Hunt to Continue — But is the Fight Really Over?
The bear hunt is back on and starts Tuesday afternoon after an appeals court dissolved a temporary stay that had prevented it from starting on schedule Monday morning.
Who Drives Electric Cars? The Places in NJ With the Most EVs
There were around 80,000 electric vehicles on the road in New Jersey as of mid-2022, now accounting for more than one of every 100 vehicles in the state, according to state data.
Marijuana Bars: NJ Proposes Rules For Public Consumption Areas
State officials on Friday formally proposed the rules for public cannabis consumption areas – social spaces, sort of like bars, where people will be able to gather and use legally bought marijuana.
Audit Finds Brigantine, NJ, Overpaying for Health Benefits, Sick Leave
An insurance broker didn't correctly calculate the savings from joining the state's health plan. The comptroller says there's a built-in conflict.
NJ Court Affirms: You Don’t Have to be Driving to be Busted for DWI
A state appeals court has affirmed, yet again, that somebody doesn’t have to be driving to be convicted of driving while intoxicated.
NJ Bear Hunt Won’t Start Monday, Judge Blocks it For Lawsuit
The bear hunt, scheduled two weeks ago, was set to start on December 5. Opponents say it is a misuse of the state's emergency rulemaking powers.