In Wednesday’s wee hours, Anaheim City Council members approved a 45-year deal that would reimburse Disneyland for any entertainment tax levied on the mega-resort in exchange for promises of up to $1.5 billion in investments to its theme parks.
Author Archives: Adam Elmahrek
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, News Briefs, Top Stories
Electeds Financed by Disneyland Rushed to Support Tax Shield for Resort
Anaheim City Council members Kris Murray and Jordan Brandman were the first to announce their support for a deal protecting Disneyland from a ticket tax. They’ve also benefitted the most from the mega-resort’s campaign spending.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Health & Wellness, Top Stories, Transportation
Latino Advocate Alleges OC Register Reporter Excluded Him From Ticket Tax Coverage
Jose Moreno, president of Los Amigos Orange County and advocate for the city’s underserved neighborhoods, claims a Register reporter lied to him and kept his views on a pending Disneyland ticket tax proposal out of the newspaper’s coverage.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Top Stories
Experts: Disneyland Would Expand With or Without Ticket Tax
Theme park industry experts say the argument that a ticket tax would hamper the mega resort’s expansion plans is a red herring. They argue high demand and competition from other venues would force Disneyland to expand regardless of whether the city implements a tax.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Top Stories
Does the Argument Behind Anaheim’s Luxury Hotel Subsidy Plan Hold Water?
A city-paid consultant says the policy to steer 70 percent of a four-diamond hotel’s room-tax subsidy back to the developer will raise surrounding hotel rates, thereby increasing tax revenue. Others say that reasoning is flawed.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Economy, Top Stories
Anaheim to Continue Protecting Disney From Entertainment Taxes
The city would reimburse Disney for any entertainment tax levied on the resort in exchange for a $1 billion resort expansion by Dec. 31, 2024.
Posted inNews Briefs
Irvine Council Eliminates Business License Fee
Councilman Jeffrey Lalloway says the decision is the first time he’s ever heard of an American government rescinding a tax.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, News Briefs, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Anaheim Budget Shows Substantial Growth
Thanks to a boost in revenue, the 2015-16 budget includes increased spending on police and other services. While most council members are expressing their pleasure with the budget, Mayor Tom Tait is warning of structural weaknesses.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, News Briefs, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana’s Budget Includes New Hires, Raises
The $226 million spending plan for fiscal year 2015-16 includes the addition of seven police officers, staffing for police body cameras and raises for city employees.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Investigative, News Briefs, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Judge Denies Request to Halt the Licensing of Pot Shops in Santa Ana
The ruling by Superior Court Judge David R. Chafee allows the city to issue operating permits for 20 medical marijuana dispensaries.
