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
Concerns about people high at work delay pot legalization vote
Senate adds random drug testing and tests for any suspicion to the bill, which evisions new industry of certified 'workplace impairment recognition experts.'
Marijuana legalization bill stalls again after committees endorse
Senate and Assembly bills have some key differences in terms of how revenues would be spent and whether to limit growers as the industry gets started.
NJ lawmakers: Make COVID-19 shutdowns county-by-county
In the spring, Gov. Phil Murphy declined to take a regional approach to imposing pandemic-driven shutdowns. A bill would require it and based it on local data.
What’s the post-pandemic future of telemedicine in NJ?
Lawmakers are already hearing a debate among doctors and insurers about the reimburse rates for virtual medical and mental health visits.
Magic mushrooms added to NJ’s pot decriminalization plan
Hallucinogenic ‘magic mushrooms’ were added to marijuana decriminalization legislation by a Senate committee. The bill is listed for a final vote Monday.
Why no winner yet? Election count goes on in NJ until Nov. 20
Not all the mail-in votes have been received and counted, and Election Day provisional ballots won't be counted for a week. Results may wait until Nov. 20.
NJ may limit need for colleges to refund tuition over COVID
In response to lawsuits seeking refunds fromcolleges, lawmakers take up bills limiting responsibility to do that – and maybe grant immunity from liability.
On ballot: Expanding NJ property tax break to peacetime veterans
Voters will decide whether to expand the $250 veterans’ property tax deduction by making veterans eligible even if they didn’t serve during a time of war.
Tell your county if you get ballots for dead or former residents
Voter registration rolls aren't fully accurate, so ballots have been mailed to people who have moved or passed away.
NJ homeland security: We’re getting ready for any election trouble
Security officials have been working on election issues for years and plan to start monitoring at 4 a.m. on Election Day, just in case.
Attention procrastinators: One last day to respond to 2020 Census
The deadline for the population count has moved frequently but is finally set: 6 a.m. Friday on the East Coast.
Miracle-Gro helps NJ marijuana supporters outspend opponents 131 to 1
Campaign finance reports filed with the state show backers of legalized recreational marijuana have raised more than $131 for every $1 by opponents.