January 17, 2018

Orange County

Voice of OC: State accountancy board issues critical report of Irvine Great Park audits

The California Board of Accountancy issued a scathing report on two separate audits of spending and contracts for Irvine’s Great Park and is recommending the accountant firm that performed the audits have its license suspended.

 

OC Register: Anaheim program gives homeless day jobs cleaning up parks in return for gift cards, bus passes

Overseen by the nonprofit service group Love Anaheim, the park clean-up was the fourth outing for a fledgling city-funded program that offers a meal and gift cards in exchange for a half day of work beautifying the city.

OC Register: Construction expected to begin in 2018 on streetcar through heart of Orange County

The new OC Streetcar project passed a key benchmark last year when the OCTA approved a full-funding agreement with the Federal Transit Administration that it expects federal officials to grant.

 

OC Register: HB Huddle evolved from last year’s Women’s March into a growing, long-term movement

Nearly a year later, as preparations are finalized for the second Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 20, the group formed on that February day has grown to more than 350. Along the way it has spawned advocates, launched candidates, stirred debate and continued to march.

 

Daily Pilot: Huntington Beach council looks to create airport issues group

Goals include establishing a dialogue with local airport and federal officials, enlisting community involvement and providing the city with ongoing updates..

 

Labor

Labor 411: No, increasing tipped workers' wages doesn't kill jobs

One of the most repeated arguments by conservatives against a real wage for tipped workers is that upping the pay would cause restaurants to hire less people. The evidence shows that has not been the case.

 

NY Times: As labor pool shrinks, prison time is less of a hiring hurdle

The American economy hasn’t experienced this kind of fierce competition for workers since the late 1990s and early 2000s, the last time the unemployment rate — currently 4.1 percent — was this low.

 

Publication Date: January 17, 2018