Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/todd-ament/)
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.
Todd Ament, president and CEO of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, argues that Measure L is flawed and would lead to the cancellation of proposed hotel construction sites connected to thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue to the city – revenue the city has admitted it needs to funds services in future years.
A ballot initiative to require Anaheim Resort-area businesses receiving city subsidies to pay workers a minimum $18 an hour by 2022 has met a signature requirement to qualify for the November general election ballot.
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.
After more than six years of holding the powerful accountable in Orange County, Adam Elmahrek is leaving for the Los Angeles Times.
The City Council choses to have voters decide whether to cut mayoral terms, another move by the council majority against Mayor Tom Tait.
The chamber hired the chamber president’s father; a political operative; and two members of its board of directors.
A long overdue audit of spending under a city contract reveals inadequate expense tracking and potential conflicts of interest.
Over the objections of residents and business leaders, the water board approved the lease for a natural gas power plant.