Author

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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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.