Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/support-our-anaheim-resort/)
The private advisory group Anaheim First, which got $250,000 from the city to study neighborhoods, is facing criticism for being a hidden business organization and is set to begin its study to make spending recommendations on $250 million in spending over the next 10 years.
Anaheim First, a private group that’s going to make spending recommendations to the city on $250 million over the next decade, is facing heavy criticism for a lack of transparency and close business ties.
The Disneyland Resort pumped another $600,000 Wednesday toward influencing the Anaheim City Council election, surpassing its previous spending record with more than $1.5 million spent so far this year.
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.
In front of a packed house of both subsidy supporters and detractors, council members voted Tuesday to give Disneyland and another four-diamond hotel developer bed-tax rebates that could total more than $500 million for three hotel projects.
The Anaheim councilwoman changed her position on a controversial hotel tax subsidy, civilian oversight of police, and district elections amid fundraisers and campaign contributions.
The new members are Chamber of Commerce President Todd Ament and Gloria Ma’ae, member of the Support Our Anaheim Resort board.
A handful of political action committees financing Anaheim City Council campaigns have received nearly $190,000 from the mega-resort.
Mayor Tom Tait and The Orange County Register’s editorial board recently endorsed council candidates Lucille King and John Leos.
City officials are considering Hill International, which employs candidate Steve Chavez Lodge, for an environmental review contract.