May 15, 2019

Orange County

Voice of OC: Irvine appoints planning commissioner to fill Council vacancy

Other cities also grappled with council vacancies this year. Santa Ana and Orange decided to hold special elections to fill their vacancies, while Fullerton and Stanton appointed people.

 

Voice of OC: Placentia’s Downtown overhaul plan more restrictive than previous redevelopment agencies

Placentia’s financing partnership with the County to overhaul its Old Town streets, sidewalks, sewers and other infrastructure shouldn’t be as risky as redevelopment agency projects in the past, according to a land use expert.

 

OC Register: In lieu of bill restricting construction by Orange County toll road agency, state assemblyman wants an audit and more communication

A state assemblyman is pulling back on a bill proposing to limit Orange County’s toll road agency’s ability to construct new roads, but he is seeking a thorough audit of the agency and a clearer definition of its role in regional planning.

 

OC Register: Santa Ana’s MainPlace mall revamp with up to 1,900 apartments, clears a hurdle in getting city approval

A $300 million project to make over Main Place mall in Santa Ana with hundreds of apartments, more entertainment and a fancier food court boasting international flavors is moving forward, with City Council approval as the final hurdle.

 

Daily Pilot: Federal judge says he’s prepared to toss out lawsuit accusing H.B. city attorney of discrimination and free-speech violation

A federal judge wants an amended complaint against Huntington Beach City Atty. Michael Gates for age and disability discrimination and free-speech violation.

 

Labor

OC Register: Huntington Beach teachers rally for a raise, after a school year with no new contract

Their red T-shirts proclaimed, “HB teachers would rather be teaching.” Actually, however, the rally Tuesday, May 14, took place a couple of hours after they had completed a full day of schooling.

 

California

OC Register: As more Californians borrow at triple-digit interest rates, will the state crack down on ‘predatory lending’?

According to industry data, between 2009 and 2017, “small dollar,” high-cost credit — loans of less than $10,000 with rates of over 100% — have swelled from 4% of the non-bank consumer lending market to nearly one-third.

 

Publication Date: May 15, 2019