Officials slashed millions in spending on a score of vacant positions including public safety openings, library programs & staffing, city events and graffiti removal after failing to agree on a sales tax measure.
Author Archives: Hosam Elattar
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC/ Report For America reporter covering Anaheim & North Orange County, food insecurity, housing & homelessness, the Arab & Muslim American community and education.
Elattar started at Voice of OC as an intern in January, 2020 and has covered local food banks’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, School board debates on how to teach history, the decades long push by Arab American business owners to recognize Little Arabia and a corruption scandal at Anaheim City Hall.
He has won several awards from the OC Press Club including Best News Story, Best Political Story and Best Religion Story.
Elattar is Egyptian American and has lived in Botswana, Nepal, Uganda, The Dominican Republic and India.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Orange County’s Food Insecurity Continues Growing as Food Stamp Cuts Loom
Food bank leaders say a federal law changing food stamp eligibility rules has led tens of thousands of residents to lose their benefits as hunger is continuing to rise in OC.
Posted inDana Point
OC Supervisors and Developer at Odds over Dana Point Harbor Remodel
While one county supervisor is asking for the developer to connect hospitality workers with new jobs as their old hotel gets torn down, the developer says it’s yet another wrench in a project that’s millions over budget.
Posted inGovernment, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana, State, Top Stories
Santa Ana Officials Ask to Join State Speed Camera Pilot Program
Officials are calling on state legislators to amend a California law in order to take part in a speed camera pilot program in an effort to curb traffic accidents and deaths.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Marriott Pays Nearly $3 Million to Laid-Off Workers After Alleged Labor Law Violation
Anaheim Marriott executives have agreed to pay $2.75 million for over two dozen workers laid-off during the COVID-19 pandemic after allegedly violating a state worker recall law.
Posted inALL TOP STORIES
Costco Is Coming to Brea As Concerns Grow Over Controversial Tax-Sharing Agreement
Brea leaders approved a tax-sharing agreement with the land owner that paved the way for the big box store and gas station while some residents question if the negotiations violated the state’s open meeting law.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Community Gardens’ Future Shrouded in Confusion, Transparency Concerns
Questions are mounting over the future of the city’s beloved community gardens after conflicting information from city staff and city management about the program in the wake of budget cuts.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Backs Off Asking Voters to Tax Ubers & Lyfts to Disneyland
Officials will not move forward with a proposed ballot measure that if approved would tax certain ridesharing trips to local city attractions like Disneyland.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim May Ask Voters to Tax Disneyland Ubers & Lyfts
Voters may decide in November if they want to tax ridesharing apps when they pick up and drop off visitors at the city’s most popular attractions including the Disneyland Resort.
Posted inEconomy
Voters Across OC to Decide on Tax Hikes in November Amid Budget Woes
Costa Mesa officials are joining a host of other cities asking voters to consider raising taxes in November as elected officials across the region grapple with budget gaps.
