Daniel Walters

A fast food employee stands and talks to customers behind the restaurant counter with the menu displayed behind them. In the foreground is the over-the-shoulder view of two customers as they talk to the employee.

Comentario

Two years later, Californians still don’t know full impact of the $20 fast food wage

Fast food prices barely went up but jobs held steady after the wage increase, researchers in a union-friendly economic center wrote. But an industry-backed study said 19,000 jobs were lost.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 12, 2025

A row of colorful Victorian houses, known as the Painted Ladies, with the San Francisco skyline in the background under a pastel pink and purple sunset sky.

Comentario

Political change is coming to San Francisco Bay Area, a Democratic stronghold

Two mayors, San Francisco’s Daniel Lurie and San Jose’s Matt Mahan, personify the rising influence of centrists among Bay Area Democratic leaders.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 11, 2025

A person wearing a navy blue suit, white dress shirt, and dark tie speaks passionately at a press conference, gesturing forward with one hand. The background features surfboard-shaped artwork in muted colors and part of a white wall with decorative molding.

Comentario

Gavin Newsom’s snark attacks on Trump boost his national standing — at least for now

Polling and other political tests show Newsom as the unofficial Democratic frontrunner, three years before voters will elect the next president.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 10, 2025

Construction workers wearing green neon vest work on a concrete pavement of a housing project during a sunny day.

Comentario

Political friction percolates over California housing policy and workers comp payouts

In the final week of the legislative session, state and local officials are arguing over a housing density bill and how much local governments can share in workers' on-the-job injury money.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 9, 2025

A close-up view of the San Mateo County seal engraved into a circular metal plate that is hung up against a wooden-panel wall.

Comentario

San Mateo County lawsuit exposes California’s penchant for state budgeting tricks

The tools and tricks employed to close California's budget deficits come from an inventory of techniques developed over decades. A recent lawsuit spotlighted a strategy used in 2004.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 5, 2025

Un tren de tránsito pasa por un proyecto de construcción en el centro de Los Ángeles el 6 de marzo de 2017. Foto de Mike Blake, Reuters

Comentario

New California law to make housing projects easier can also make them cost more

The legislation removes environmental delays but includes language that could allow local governments to add "vehicle miles traveled" fees to a project's cost.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 4, 2025

Aplicaciones de redes sociales en la pantalla de un teléfono inteligente. Foto vía iStock Foto

Comentario

Courts keep striking down California laws infringing on free speech, gun rights

As Newsom and other California Democrats posture as saviors of democracy, they are no stranger to infringing on constitutional rights themselves, as recent court rulings on gun rights and free speech show.

Por

Daniel Walters

• septiembre 3, 2025

Nueva construcción de viviendas en Elk Grove el 8 de julio de 2022. Foto de Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Comentario

Nine years later, California court saga over $23,420 housing fee remains unsettled

George Sheetz could never have imagined a routine administrative transaction levied on a home-building project would turn into a legal dispute that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and remains unresolved almost a decade later.

Por

Daniel Walters

• agosto 29, 2025

Los estudiantes de la Escuela Primaria Stege completan el trabajo de clase usando tabletas en Richmond el 6 de febrero de 2023. Foto de Shelby Knowles para CalMatters

Comentario

California schools reverse truancy trends. Improving reading scores could be next

California's public schools have struggled to improve test scores in recent years. A return to phonics instruction could turn the tide on reading, a move that comes as many schools overcome pandemic-era absenteeism.

Por

Daniel Walters

• agosto 28, 2025

A person in an orange dress stands on stage speaking into a microphone and gesturing with one finger raised, while six other panelists sit in chairs behind them. A large projected message on the curtain reads “UNIONIZE CALIFORNIA” in red and white.

Comentario

With candidates bowing out, California’s gubernatorial race remains wide open

Two of the most prominent potential Democratic candidates have checked out of the California governor's race, and those who remain in the field are — in political terms — middleweights at best.

Por

Daniel Walters

• agosto 27, 2025