Author

Nikita Biryukov

Nikita Biryukov

Nikita Biryukov most recently covered state government and politics for the New Jersey Globe. His tenure there included revelatory stories on marijuana legalization, voting reform and Rep. Jeff Van Drew's decamp to the Republican Party. Earlier, he worked as a freelancer for The Home News Tribune and The Press of Atlantic City.

Assembly panel green lights bills aimed at reducing car thefts

By: - March 23, 2023

The bills' supporters say they are intended to address a post-pandemic spike in car thefts state officials say has abated.

Senate panel advances nominations of new utility regulators

By: - March 21, 2023

The nominations to the utilities board are awaiting full confirmation by the state Senate.

New Jersey Senate approves campaign finance overhaul

By: - March 20, 2023

The bill would double limits on contributions to political candidates, triple donations to county party organizations, and allow the governor to remake the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Campaign finance bill advances with new provisions targeting election law watchdog

By: - March 16, 2023

Critics say the bill would gut New Jersey anti-corruption laws, flood the state with campaign cash, and strip the independence from the state's election law watchdog.

Longtime senator and civil rights icon Ron Rice dead at 77

By: - March 15, 2023

Ronald L. Rice, a famously independent Democrat who served 36 years in the state Senate, died after an extended battle with cancer.

List grows of lawmakers retiring before next round of legislative elections

By: - March 15, 2023

Seventeen legislative incumbents have said they won't seek another term, and that number is expected to creep upward before a key filing deadline.

Attorney general sets new rules for rape kit handling, testing

By: - March 13, 2023

Attorney General Matt Platkin said the new directive will ensure that rape cases will be vigorously investigated by law enforcement.

Bergen County mayor once acquitted of corruption charges is set to become judge

By: - March 13, 2023

Six would-be Superior Court judges now await confirmation before the Senate, including one cleared of corruption charges 13 years ago.

Lobbying in Trenton dipped in 2022 amid pandemic recovery

By: - March 9, 2023

Lobbying expenditures declined slightly in 2022 as the state's regular top spender took a break, the Election Law Enforcement Commission says.

Bill would speed up payments for utility companies helming infrastructure projects

By: - March 7, 2023

The state's ratepayer advocate said faster payments to utilities could lead to biannual rate hikes for consumers.

Lawmakers unveil bill to revamp Prohibition-era liquor license rules

By: - March 3, 2023

The bill, which faces opposition from the restaurant and bar industry, would phase out Prohibition-era liquor license limits by 2029.

Panel clears bill shielding home addresses of local government officials

By: - March 2, 2023

The push to shield local officials’ addresses is part of a broader effort to block the release of home addresses of state lawmakers, judges, law enforcement officers, and child protective investigators.