June 22, 2017
Orange County
Voice of OC: Westminster’s sales tax increase offers reprieve from crisis
The one-cent sales tax increase passed by Westminster voters in November means for the first time in years, the city won’t need to draw from reserves to balance its budget, although long-term, the tax increase won’t save the city from budget shortfalls.
OC Register: Divided Costa Mesa council approves $163.2 million budget amid pension-debt concerns
A divided City Council approved a final version of the city’s $163.2 million budget that includes such priorities as the Lions Park project, public safety and overseeing the city’s group and sober-living homes. The budget for fiscal year 2017-18 is around $18.6 million more than the current one.
OC Register: Dive in international flights sends JWA traffic down 4.6 percent in May
A dip in flights to Mexico sent passenger traffic down 4.6 percent at John Wayne Airport in May. The airport served 878,901 passengers compared with 921,233 in May 2016. Airport spokeswoman Deanne Thompson attributed the decrease to reduced flights to Mexico. International passenger traffic was down 48.5 percent in May. The steep plunge comes as the airport experienced a major shakeup this past year.
OC Register: ‘Prospects dim’: 6 reasons Chapman sees Orange County economy slowing
Chapman University’s semi-annual economic forecast hit some sour notes with its projection for 2017 looking like the overall slowest year since the Great Recession. With the economic rebound in its eighth year, the business climate especially in Orange County is losing much of its “oomph”, said Chapman’s report released Wednesday, June 21.
LA Times: Travis Allen, a conservative and controversial Orange County lawmaker, jumps into California governor's race
Conservative Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) is jumping into California’s 2018 race for governor, a move that could splinter the GOP vote in what promises to be a crowded and competitive race.
Publication Date: June 22, 2017
