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
Legislature votes for Black Lives Matter Day, Juneteenth holiday
Senate votes to create a June 19 state holiday. Assembly votes to commemorate Black Lives Matter each July 13. Neither bill has yet made it to Gov. Phil Murphy.
Stronger than the SARS-CoV-2? Tourism industry seeks NJ ad blitz
Travel and tourism industries say New Jersey should spend as much as $75 million from its federal COVID-19 funds on ad campaigns urging visits to the state.
NJ school buildings to reopen in September, with major changes
It seems unrealistic for most schools to have all students in attendance and meet social distancing rules. Hybrid approach with some virtual learning likely.
Up to Murphy whether to cap delivery fees charged to restaurants
Fees levied by third-party delivery services like DoorDash and GrubHub to restaurants would be capped in COVID-19 emergency under bill passed by Legislature.
NJ looks for ideas for helping small businesses get PPE
Small businesses might need personal protective equipment for months or longer. The state wants to see if their collective buying power can be pooled to help.
Bill sent to Murphy allowing extra ‘bridge year’ of high school
Seniors in 2021 and 2022 could delay graduation, mixing community college courses and high school extracurricular activities and spring sports, if law enacted.
Plan to decriminalize marijuana, impose $50 fines moving forward
Twenty weeks before New Jersey voters will decide whether to legalize marijuana, an Assembly committee Monday voted to decriminalize it.
Bill seeks to delay deadline for fall physicals for NJ student-athletes
Citing COVID-19 disruptions, a bill moving through the Legislature would let students compete in fall sports before getting physicals and cardiac screenings.
See the COVID-19 outbreak spread across NJ over 100 days
County by county, watch the known rates of infections spread over New Jersey since the first case was confirmed in early March.
Worst of COVID-19 toll on mental health yet to come
At an Assembly hearing, lawmakers are told providers are readying for "a surge after the surge" of behavioral health needs that won't peak for months.
Restaurants tell Senate of ‘absolute despair’ from COVID shutdown
Industry official indicates more than 3,000 restaurants are expected to fail. Outdoor dining starts next week after three months closed. Indoor? Who knows.
Even by fall, NJ can’t guarantee all students will have tablets
Despite prodding by the state, around 89,000 students in New Jersey don't have devices or internet access at home, which makes virtual schooling even harder.