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
Grocery stores ask that NJ bag rules not be changed for home delivery
A Senate committee advanced a plan to allow paper bags and other options for home delivery, rather than reusable bags, for three years.
At last, major Hoboken, NJ train station area redevelopment to begin
NJ Transit selected the developer in 2005, but the reinvention of the ferry terminal and accompanying apartment and office tower has been long delayed.
New Jersey records one of nation’s biggest spikes in poverty
Census Bureau estimates show the number of New Jerseyans in poverty climbed by more than 132,000 between 2019 and 2021, with median income down.
Federal report finds bad news for New Jersey economy
After seven straight quarters of recovery and growth following the pandemic lockdowns of 2020, the New Jersey economy shrunk in the spring of 2022.
Some schools lock up students in ‘quiet rooms’ — NJ may start tracking that
Critics say data collection and parent notification are only a first step and that to protect students with disabilities, a ban would be better.
Group created to study how to shift to ‘clean buildings’ in NJ
Gov. Phil Murphy announced the creation of a new working group that will study ways to reduce carbon emissions from buildings in New Jersey.
Spotted lanternfly quarantine zone expanding to all of NJ
People traveling through quarantine counties are urged to inspect for insects and egg masses. Businesses need permits to conduct certain activities.
A defense for why sick leave payouts continue in NJ towns
As lawmakers consider beefing up limits on sick leave payouts at the urging of the state comptroller, a union official explains why the practice persists.
New Jersey moves to fix its error on new child tax credit
The state created a new tax credit for children under age 6 as part of its new budget but accidentally delayed the first payments until 2024.
A plan to force Costco to sell gas to anyone in New Jersey
Costco began limiting gas sales to members of the warehouse club in July in New Jersey, like it does elsewhere. Proposed legislation would bar that.
Advocates eye NJ-wide program to flag students needing mental health help
Advocates for the SBIRT program say it can help identify students needing services for mental health or substance abuse services and isn't hard to implement.
NJ lawmakers ready to vote on some changes to grocery bag ban
People who order groceries for delivery or pickup have reusable bags piling up. A bill would let future orders to come in paper bags or cardboard boxes.