Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/kris-murray/)
Local worker unions are clashing over a ballot initiative in Anaheim that would raise wages to $18 an hour for employees of companies that receive city subsidies, a measure aimed at three luxury hotel projects that received over $500 million in tax rebates in 2016.
At a city council meeting packed with union leaders and Disneyland Resort employees, Anaheim leaders discussed a recent survey that found many of the resort’s workers struggle to buy food, pay rent and afford other basic necessities. Critics say the union-funded report was commissioned to bolster an upcoming ballot initiative.
It was another year of political drama in the city of Anaheim, after an election upset in November 2016 tipped political power in Mayor Tom Tait’s favor.
Anaheim City Councilwoman Kris Murray publicly criticized Mayor Tom Tait at a city council meeting Tuesday over a phone call he had with Orange County Fire Authority Chief Jeff Bowman exploring the possibility of outsourcing the city’s fire department.
Anaheim City Council members failed to endorse an existing anti-camping ordinance aimed at people living on the streets, tabling a request by Councilwoman Kris Murray to “reaffirm” the city’s existing approach to addressing homelessness.
“The length of our council meetings are exceeding any acceptable level…and are frankly becoming abusive to the public and to the staff,” said Councilwoman Kris Murray, who requested the council discuss the changes and take action at their May 23 meeting.
Changes approved by a split city council Tuesday are compromises that city staff say will lead to a settlement of a lawsuit, but they also could extend the time some rental owners were given to phase out their businesses.
Anaheim will scrap an existing fireworks program that Mayor Tom Tait says disproportionately benefits Anaheim Hills residents for a more limited program where only 16 nonprofits will participate each year.
The City Council voted 4-2, with Mayor Tom Tait absent, to rescind a rule that allows a majority of council members to deny a colleague’s request to place items on the agenda.
Councilman Jose Moreno proposed the city beef up its Public Safety Board into an “investigative police commission” while councilwomen Kris Murray and Lucille Kring argued that the board should remain in its current form.