Councilwoman Murray's Support for Anaheim GardenWalk Hotels

Dear Anaheim Resident,

On January 24, 2012, the council voted for an agreement to reduce Transit Occupancy Taxes (TOT) to secure a $285 million investment of two four-star hotels at the Anaheim GardenWalk, the city's open air retail center across from the Convention Center. The development of these hotels will create 3200 skilled construction jobs, and 1300 permanent jobs. In addition to improving the competitiveness of Anaheim's sports, resort and convention industries.

This agreement enables the city to grow new general fund revenues, at no cost to the city's general fund. There are political campaigns asserting that the reduction in TOT funds is coming directly from our schools and libraries - this is FALSE. In fact, the hotels will start generating more than $3 million in new revenue to the city the first year and long term more than $20 million annually in new general fund revenue - all without raising taxes on our residents and businesses.

Click for more detail about the agreement at GardenWalk hotels.

The state has suffered from annual budget shortfalls over the past decade and continues to divert local funding to cover its obligations. Cities are left with limited means to provide the front line services that impact our resident's quality of life - libraries, parks, graffiti abatement, roads, as well as vital police and fire services. Anaheim is fortunate that we have a thriving resort area that provides more than 50 percent of the city's general fund revenue. The approval of the GardenWalk hotels is part of a larger plan to grow our Convention Center, expand the city's transportation network, and revitalize our resort and downtown areas so the city can better weather economic downturns. The 4500 jobs generated by these hotels will also directly improve the city's unemployment level, which still hovers at 12 percent.

I voted for this public-private partnership because it will create jobs, grow general fund revenue, and improve the city's overall economic climate. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the GardenWalk hotels or any other issue in Anaheim. It is my honor to represent you on the Anaheim City Council.

Kindest regards,
Kris
www.fightforanaheimjobs.com