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@sfchronicle SF City Hall reporter focused on Mayor Daniel Lurie. alum of @northbaynews @lasvegassun @dailycal. California grown 🏳️🌈
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Articles by J.D. Morris
Daniel Lurie is asking S.F. voters for more power. Will they say yes in November?
Mayor Daniel Lurie is asking a lot of San Francisco voters in next month’s election as he starts to test the limits of his political popularity. The mayor wants the electorate to give him and his successors more power over the way City Hall operates. He’s pushing a parcel tax that would extend a financial lifeline to Muni. He’s backing one ballot measure that would fund affordable housing while opposing another that seeks to earmark certain tax proceeds for affordable homes.
SF power grid takeover could cost city $20 billion, PG&E says
PG&E is finally ready to say how much it thinks San Francisco should pay to take over the local electric grid - and the price tag is staggering. Patti Poppe, CEO of the PG&E Corp.
S.F. power grid takeover could cost city $20 billion, PG&E says Original
PG&E is finally ready to say how much it thinks San Francisco should pay to take over the local electric grid — and the price tag is staggering. Patti Poppe, CEO of the PG&E Corp. parent company, told the Chronicle on Wednesday that the city could be on the hook for “north of $20 billion” if it were to realize its long-sought goal of breaking up with the unpopular utility.
S.F. leaders backed Manny Yekutiel after an assault allegation. Now they face calls to answer why
Manny Yekutiel was already facing a sexual assault allegation last month when his campaign for San Francisco supervisor spent more than $30,000 on a mailer promoting Mayor Daniel Lurie’s endorsement. Yekutiel had assured Lurie that the allegation that he assaulted a political activist at a party six years ago “simply was not true,” the mayor said in a Sept. 11 statement.
S.F. supervisor candidate Manny Yekutiel drops out of race in wake of new sexual assault allegation
San Francisco supervisor candidate Manny Yekutiel ended his campaign Thursday after two men said he groped them at a Pride party three years ago, the second time in recent months that he faced an allegation of sexual assault. The latest accusation, first reported by the San Francisco Standard, immediately roiled the race for District 8 supervisor, in which Yekutiel was one of the leading candidates to represent the Castro and surrounding neighborhoods.
Scott Wiener spent years rewriting California housing law. What does he have to show for it?
When one of state Sen. Scott Wiener's first major housing bills died in its first committee hearing in 2018, the logical option would have been for the lawmaker to retreat after such a resounding loss. But Wiener couldn't help himself. "I'm like the moth to the flame sometimes," Wiener told the Chronicle in a recent interview in Balboa Park at Kapuso at the Upper Yard , a 131-unit affordable housing project one of his laws helped get built.
Scott Wiener spent years rewriting California housing law. What does he have to show for it?
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Has Wiener's avalanche of housing bills actually led to more homes? Here's what we know
When one of state Sen. Scott Wiener's first major housing bills died in its first committee hearing in 2018, the logical option would have been for the lawmaker to retreat after such a resounding loss. But Wiener couldn't help himself. "I'm like the moth to the flame sometimes," Wiener told the Chronicle in a recent interview in Balboa Park at Kapuso at the Upper Yard, a 131-unit affordable housing project one of his laws helped get built.
Has Wiener's avalanche of housing bills actually led to more homes? Here's what we know
When one of state Sen. Scott Wiener's first major housing bills died in its first committee hearing in 2018, the logical option would have been for the lawmaker to retreat after such a resounding loss. But Wiener couldn't help himself. "I'm like the moth to the flame sometimes," Wiener told the Chronicle in a recent interview in Balboa Park at Kapuso at the Upper Yard, a 131-unit affordable housing project one of his laws helped get built.
Has Wiener’s avalanche of housing bills actually led to more homes? Here’s what we know
More recent state data show that more than 1,300 projects have been approved under SB35 and a follow-up bill that expanded and extended the original law, though it doesn’t note how many units that represents or how many are affordable.
S.F. to scrutinize Chinatown group behind Chinese New Year Parade amid lawsuits and scandal
San Francisco will audit the powerful Chinatown business group that organizes the annual Chinese New Year Parade amid sexual assault and harassment allegations against its leaders. The review raises questions about whether the group will continue to organize the parade and has left some Chinatown advocates worried about the future of the beloved tradition, which has been helmed by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce since its inception.
Mayor Daniel Lurie wins big contract extension for S.F. permit reform despite criticism
San Francisco is pressing ahead with a major expansion of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s push to transform the city’s antiquated permit system despite some misgivings among local lawmakers about the technology company at the heart of the initiative. The Board of Supervisors signed off Tuesday on a $22 million, three-year contract extension with OpenGov, the firm that is helping the city set up an online portal to apply for permits. It’s shorter than the five-year deal originally sought by the mayor.
Is Lurie a YIMBY? San Francisco housing advocates are pushing back against his plans
When he talks about San Francisco's worsening affordability problems , Mayor Daniel Lurie often emphasizes that building more housing is an important part of tackling the crisis. But some advocates with the "Yes in my backyard" movement, which champions aggressive measures to promote the construction of new homes, are questioning just how far his commitment to that idea goes.
Is Lurie a YIMBY? San Francisco housing advocates are pushing back against his plans
When he talks about San Francisco’s worsening affordability problems, Mayor Daniel Lurie often emphasizes that building more housing is an important part of tackling the crisis. But some advocates with the “Yes in my backyard” movement, which champions aggressive measures to promote the construction of new homes, are questioning just how far his commitment to that idea goes.
SF Mayor Lurie unveils election endorsements, boosting moderate candidates
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S.F. Mayor Lurie unveils election endorsements, boosting moderate candidates
Mayor Daniel Lurie is flexing more of his political muscle in San Francisco’s November election by endorsing candidates and measures across the local ballot. Lurie said Friday that in two competitive races for open seats on the Board of Supervisors he is backing leading moderates Theo Ellington, who is running in District 10 to succeed Supervisor Shamann Walton, and Manny Yekutiel, running in District 8 to replace Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.
S.F. Mayor Lurie unveils plan to protect renters amid AI-fueled housing ‘emergency’ Original
Mayor Daniel Lurie is stepping up efforts to counter the skyrocketing rents sweeping through San Francisco amid the AI boom, a bid to address concerns that the city is too expensive for all but its richest residents.
S.F. Mayor Lurie gives huge share of city workers a 12% raise despite looming deficits Original
The largest unions representing San Francisco city workers have reached a deal with Mayor Daniel Lurie to grant their members 12% raises over four years and prevent layoffs until at least 2029. Lurie’s administration and labor leaders on Tuesday agreed to extend contracts for about 25,000 city workers, setting up a surprisingly early resolution to what could have become a major political conflict in the months ahead. The unions’ current contracts don’t expire until June 30.
Daniel Lurie adviser who led efforts to reform SF bureaucracy resigns after one year
A senior official in Mayor Daniel Lurie's administration who was tasked with making the San Francisco government more focused on delivering results is leaving City Hall after one year. Jessica MacLeod, Lurie's chief of strategy and performance, will step down from her position effective Sept. 30, according to a resignation letter she sent to the mayor on Wednesday.
Daniel Lurie adviser who led efforts to reform S.F. bureaucracy resigns after one year
A senior official in Mayor Daniel Lurie’s administration who was tasked with making the San Francisco government more focused on delivering results is leaving City Hall after one year. Jessica MacLeod, Lurie’s chief of strategy and performance, will step down from her position effective Sept. 30, according to a resignation letter she sent to the mayor on Wednesday.
S.F. Mayor Lurie launched an intensive push to improve chaos in the Mission. Did it work?
Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who represents the Mission, told the Chronicle in a statement that her office had been “begging for a year and a half now” for a host of resources, including more police officer foot patrols, more frequent cleanings around the BART plazas, increased city support for street vendors, additional trash cans and expanded ambassador coverage. Yet “it just doesn’t seem to be moving upward in a consistent way,” Fielder said.
Mayor Lurie advances a big contract to overhaul S.F. permits amid scrutiny
City Hall lawmakers scrutinized Mayor Daniel Lurie's signature program to modernize San Francisco's aging permit technology Wednesday, but decided to keep the initiative moving forward - at least for now.
Mayor Lurie advances a big contract to overhaul S.F. permits amid scrutiny
City Hall lawmakers scrutinized Mayor Daniel Lurie’s signature program to modernize San Francisco’s aging permit technology Wednesday, but decided to keep the initiative moving forward — at least for now.
Connie Chan's critics call her a roadblock. She calls herself a voice for her S.F. community
San Francisco lawmakers were weighing a plan to allow denser homes in development-averse neighborhoods when Supervisor Connie Chan objected. It was Nov. 17, just days before Chan announced her campaign to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. A Board of Supervisors committee was discussing Mayor Daniel Lurie's proposal to rezone the north and west sides of the city, including Chan's district.
Connie Chan’s critics call her a roadblock. She calls herself a voice for her S.F. community
San Francisco lawmakers were weighing a plan to allow denser homes in development-averse neighborhoods when Supervisor Connie Chan objected. It was Nov. 17, just days before Chan announced her campaign to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. A Board of Supervisors committee was discussing Mayor Daniel Lurie’s proposal to rezone the north and west sides of the city, including Chan’s district.
S.F. City Hall drama: Lawmaker argues he was retaliated against over housing clash
A San Francisco lawmaker says he lost his seats on two influential groups at City Hall after he clashed with the head of the city's legislative branch over a bill he feared would make it harder to build housing. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood no longer serves on the Board of Supervisors' land use and government oversight committees, according to a Friday memo from Board President Rafael Mandelman.
S.F. City Hall drama: Lawmaker argues he was retaliated against over housing clash
A San Francisco lawmaker says he lost his seats on two influential groups at City Hall after he clashed with the head of the city's legislative branch over a bill he feared would make it harder to build housing. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood no longer serves on the Board of Supervisors' land use and government oversight committees, according to a Friday memo from Board President Rafael Mandelman.
Giants' Oracle Park to host 2028 All-Star Game as Mayor Lurie makes an assist
Major League Baseball has decided to award the 2028 All-Star Game to San Francisco - without waiting to determine whether big-league players will participate in the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Chronicle first reported in July 2025 that Oracle Park would host the event should MLB players get the OK for the Olympics, but the Players Association and the league are still hashing those details out.
Giants' Oracle Park to host 2028 All-Star Game as Mayor Lurie makes an assist
Major League Baseball has decided to award the 2028 All-Star Game to San Francisco - without waiting to determine whether big-league players will participate in the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Chronicle first reported in July 2025 that Oracle Park would host the event should MLB players get the OK for the Olympics, but the Players Association and the league are still hashing those details out.
Giants' Oracle Park to host 2028 All-Star Game as Mayor Lurie makes an assist
Major League Baseball has decided to award the 2028 All-Star Game to San Francisco - without waiting to determine whether big-league players will participate in the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Chronicle first reported in July 2025 that Oracle Park would host the event should MLB players get the OK for the Olympics, but the Players Association and the league are still hashing those details out.
Giants’ Oracle Park to host 2028 All-Star Game as Mayor Lurie makes an assist
Major League Baseball has decided to award the 2028 All-Star Game to San Francisco — without waiting to determine whether big-league players will participate in the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Chronicle first reported in July 2025 that Oracle Park would host the event should MLB players get the OK for the Olympics, but the Players Association and the league are still hashing those details out.
Mayor Lurie comes out against SF affordable housing measure: ‘Unaccountable slush fund'
Mayor Daniel Lurie is teaming up with the San Francisco police and firefighter unions to oppose a tax measure on the November ballot that seeks to steer more money to affordable housing. Lurie and the unions said in a sharply worded statement Wednesday that the measure, Proposition I, would blow a "massive, permanent hole" in San Francisco's $7 billion general fund, the city's discretionary spending account that also pays for police officers, firefighters and paramedics, among many other things.
Mayor Lurie comes out against S.F. affordable housing measure: ‘Unaccountable slush fund’ Original
Mayor Daniel Lurie is teaming up with the San Francisco police and firefighter unions to oppose a tax measure on the November ballot that seeks to steer more money to affordable housing. Lurie and the unions said in a sharply worded statement Wednesday that the measure, Proposition I, would blow a “massive, permanent hole” in San Francisco’s $7 billion general fund, the city’s discretionary spending account that also pays for police officers, firefighters and paramedics, among many other things.
Exclusive: Mayor Lurie pitched OpenAI on a major S.F. initiative. The company turned him down
Ten days after OpenAI announced it was proceeding with its highly anticipated public stock market debut, Mayor Daniel Lurie sat down with a top executive at the San Francisco company and delivered a pitch. In a June 18 meeting at City Hall, Lurie urged the maker of ChatGPT to play a more prominent role in civic life by partnering with his administration on a new effort to improve the lives of local residents, documents obtained by the Chronicle show.
Exclusive: Mayor Lurie pitched OpenAI on a major S.F. initiative. The company turned him down
Ten days after OpenAI announced it was proceeding with its highly anticipated public stock market debut, Mayor Daniel Lurie sat down with a top executive at the San Francisco company and delivered a pitch. In a June 18 meeting at City Hall, Lurie urged the maker of ChatGPT to play a more prominent role in civic life by partnering with his administration on a new effort to improve the lives of local residents, documents obtained by the Chronicle show.
Exclusive: Mayor Lurie pitched OpenAI on a major S.F. initiative. The company turned him down
Ten days after OpenAI announced it was proceeding with its highly anticipated public stock market debut, Mayor Daniel Lurie sat down with a top executive at the San Francisco company and delivered a pitch. In a June 18 meeting at City Hall, Lurie urged the maker of ChatGPT to play a more prominent role in civic life by partnering with his administration on a new effort to improve the lives of local residents, documents obtained by the Chronicle show.
Daniel Lurie wants to fix dysfunction at S.F. City Hall. How far will voters let him go?
Mayor Daniel Lurie is going to San Francisco voters this fall with a big question: How far are they willing to go to reduce dysfunction at City Hall? The answer will become clear when the electorate decides on a trio of measures Lurie is pushing to reform the city charter, San Francisco’s core governing document that stretches more than 500 pages long. All three measures have now qualified for the Nov. 3 ballot after Lurie’s allies collected tens of thousands of signatures.
OpenAI and Anthropic could go public for trillions. Will S.F. cash in?
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, reportedly wants to delay the company's public offering until 2027. When the San Francisco-based tech company does go public, it's expected to mint many millionaires in the city. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) San Francisco leaders have relentlessly promoted the city as the epicenter of the artificial intelligence industry.
OpenAI and Anthropic could go public for trillions. Will S.F. cash in?
San Francisco leaders have relentlessly promoted the city as the epicenter of the artificial intelligence industry. With local titans OpenAI and Anthropic poised for two of the biggest stock market debuts ever — potentially topping $1 trillion each — how much of that wealth will flow back to the city? Not much — at least not directly — experts told the Chronicle.
A provocative van returns to S.F. race to succeed Pelosi. Here's its new message
An unusual political stunt has made a comeback in the San Francisco race to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. But this time, it's targeting someone else. In April, the Chronicle reported that a mysterious Chevrolet targeting a progressive candidate was linked to political provocateur Conor Johnston, a supporter of state Sen. Scott Wiener's bid for the House seat long held by Pelosi. This week, the van reemerged after a makeover.
A provocative van returns to S.F. race to succeed Pelosi. Here’s its new message
An unusual political stunt has made a comeback in the San Francisco race to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. But this time, it’s targeting someone else. In April, the Chronicle reported that a mysterious Chevrolet targeting a progressive candidate was linked to political provocateur Conor Johnston, a supporter of state Sen. Scott Wiener’s bid for the House seat long held by Pelosi. This week, the van reemerged after a makeover.
‘The money is just obscene': Inside Mayor Lurie's funding machine reshaping S.F. politics
It was the day after the June election, and the political operatives who helped San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie steamroll his opponents were exultant. Voters had just delivered resounding victories for Lurie's agenda, electing both candidates he endorsed to the Board of Supervisors and passing every ballot measure he favored. Consultants for the pro-Lurie political action committee, SF Believes, had raised about $1.8 million, largely from people with backgrounds in finance or technology.
‘The money is just obscene': Inside Mayor Lurie's funding machine reshaping S.F. politics
It was the day after the June election, and the political operatives who helped San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie steamroll his opponents were exultant. Voters had just delivered resounding victories for Lurie's agenda, electing both candidates he endorsed to the Board of Supervisors and passing every ballot measure he favored. Consultants for the pro-Lurie political action committee, SF Believes, had raised about $1.8 million, largely from people with backgrounds in finance or technology.
‘The money is just obscene': Inside Mayor Lurie's funding machine reshaping S.F. politics
It was the day after the June election, and the political operatives who helped San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie steamroll his opponents were exultant. Voters had just delivered resounding victories for Lurie's agenda, electing both candidates he endorsed to the Board of Supervisors and passing every ballot measure he favored. Consultants for the pro-Lurie political action committee, SF Believes, had raised about $1.8 million, largely from people with backgrounds in finance or technology.
‘The money is just obscene’: Inside Mayor Lurie's funding machine reshaping S.F. politics
It was the day after the June election, and the political operatives who helped San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie steamroll his opponents were exultant. Voters had just delivered resounding victories for Lurie’s agenda, electing both candidates he endorsed to the Board of Supervisors and passing every ballot measure he favored. Consultants for the pro-Lurie political action committee, SF Believes, had raised about $1.8 million, largely from people with backgrounds in finance or technology.
'Havoc on the streets': New July 4 records show key SF official slammed Waymo
J.D. Morris San Francisco's emergency management chief was exasperated on July 4 as stalled Waymo robotaxis snarled traffic in the chaotic aftermath of the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show, newly released records reveal.
Former president of S.F. Chinese Chamber of Commerce departs amid sexual harassment allegations
The former president of a powerful San Francisco Chinatown business organization decided Tuesday night not to stay on the board of directors amid infighting over an allegation of sexual misconduct and separate complaints from workers. Thirteen San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce board members had previously threatened to resign unless Donald Luu was permanently removed from the board and four current leaders resigned, in protest of how the organization responded to the allegations.
Former president of S.F. Chinese Chamber of Commerce departs amid sexual harassment allegations
The former president of a powerful San Francisco Chinatown business organization decided Tuesday night not to stay on the board of directors amid infighting over an allegation of sexual misconduct and separate complaints from workers. Thirteen San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce board members had previously threatened to resign unless Donald Luu was permanently removed from the board and four current leaders resigned, in protest of how the organization responded to the allegations.
Exclusive: Fight over vacant S.F. grocery store tax escalates with new critics speaking out Original
When Supervisor Bilal Mahmood unveiled his recent proposal to levy a tax on vacant grocery stores, he framed it as part of a plan to eliminate neighborhood “food deserts” where San Francisco residents lack convenient access to affordable kitchen staples. Now, as Mahmood’s plan runs into stiff political resistance, skeptics are emerging to make the opposite case: that his tax plan could actually hinder the opening of new grocery stores in San Francisco.
S.F. supervisor slams Mayor Lurie for opposing vacant grocery store tax Original
San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood said Thursday that a major piece of his proposal to reduce food insecurity in the city has been jeopardized by political interference from Mayor Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Connie Chan. Inspired by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push to open publicly owned grocery stores, Mahmood last month proposed a pair of ballot measures that would seek to expand the number of affordable markets in San Francisco and dissuade stores from closing.
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