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
Democrats Join GOP to Say Murphy Moving Too Slow to Reopen NJ Economy
Senate Pres. Steve Sweeney said it doesn’t make sense that people can go to a grocery store or liquor store but not a card shop, particularly since major retailers are open but mom-and-pop businesses aren’t.
Expect Some Doctors, Dentists to Shut Down Offices After COVID-19
Some doctors’ and dentists’ offices and surgery centers might never reopen due to the disruptions and long-term changes that will results from the coronavirus pandemic.
NJ Senate Plans Hearing on COVID-19 ‘Disaster’ at Nursing Homes
The state Senate plans to hold hearings examining the state’s handling of coronavirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities and prisons, with the Senate president calling the situation in nursing homes "a disaster."
Groups Urge Tax Hikes to Narrow NJ’s $10B Drop in Revenue
Brandon McKoy, president of New Jersey Policy Perspective, said New Jersey ended up with the slowest recovery in the nation after the Great Recession because it wouldn’t consider tax increases.
A Plan for $1,000 COVID Payments to Immigrants Illegally in NJ
Gov. Phil Murphy has said he would consider coronavirus aid for immigrants who aren't legal residents but didn't commit to approving it, citing the state's precarious finances.
Over 120,000 New Claims for Jobless Benefits Filed in NJ — 1.1M Total
Nearly 1.1 million people in New Jersey who have been laid off or furloughed have filed claims for traditional unemployment benefits over the last eight weeks.
NJ Finances at the Cliff: Down 60% in April, $10B Gap Forecast
State revenues plunged by an unprecedented 60% in April, a $3.5B drop that reflects the economic impact of the business shutdowns ordered to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Bramnick Wants Legislature to Start Hearings on Reopening Economy
“I am deeply concerned that we don’t have enough information flowing out of Trenton to answer the questions of the people,” Bramnick said.
A Plan to Get ‘Every Single Body We Can’ Helping With Unemployment
A Senate committee votes Tuesday on a bill allowing civil-service employees to be transferred during emergencies as a way to help process unemployment claims.
Vote-only-by-mail in 32 NJ Towns This Week — Is Whole State Next?
32 municipalities in NJ hold entirely vote-by-mail elections Tuesday, an experiment being done in response to the novel coronavirus that could expand statewide for the July 7 primary.