Politics
Democrats’ plan to raise pay for security guards would pressure employers into labor deals
California’s security guards earn low pay and have dangerous jobs. Legislative Democrats are pressuring companies to unionize.
Minimum Wage
Dan Walters
California’s $20 fast food wage yields higher prices, fewer jobs, more automation
UC - Santa Cruz found fewer jobs and worker hours, but more order kiosks, mobile apps and AI drive-through ordering systems at CA eateries.
Economy
California’s minimum wage is increasing in 2026 as Los Angeles debates $30 an hour
California's minimum wage is adjusted every year for inflation. Some cities have a higher wage floor and unions are advocating increases for specific industries.
Justice
California’s incarcerated firefighters to see ‘historic’ pay increase in laws Newsom signed
Hundreds of California’s incarcerated firefighters will see an increase in pay, a new death benefit and a faster path to expungement of their criminal records under laws Gov. Gavin Newsom signed.
Commentary
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.
Justice
In a first, California moves toward paying incarcerated firefighters minimum wage
California sent incarcerated firefighters to battle blazes in Los Angeles this year. It's moving toward paying them minimum wage for their work in emergencies.
Housing
Newsom and Legislature tangle with construction unions over minimum wage
Lawmakers are weighing a provision that would allow developers to pay a lower wage for some construction projects, theoretically stimulating housing production in California. Unions and environmental groups are opposed.
California Divide
California’s fast food council after one year: A few meetings, three staff members hired
The state’s fast food council has scarcely discussed any regulations other than another potential wage hike. Even then, it has agreed only to talk about the issue at another meeting.
Commentary
Conflicting studies obscure the reality of California’s fast food wage battle
After years of political battles over fast food wages and the status of franchises, California still lacks objective research.
California Divide
Inland Empire child care workers do vital job but rarely earn good wages
Child care's expense is linked to a lack of supply, which is linked to a lack of workers, which is linked to low pay and poor benefits in the industry, panelists said.