Disney says its supports pro-business candidates for City Council in Anaheim, but some see a proposed streetcar as the connection behind an uptick in the company's local political support.
"Disney Corp. has contributed $518,204 to political action committees that back two candidates for Anaheim City Council who support a proposed streetcar line that would take people to two Disney theme parks," according to Joseph Pimentel.
The spending has led to controversy over the size of Disney's sales as compared to the relative modesty of Anaheim's budget: " Anaheim has a city budget of about $259.9 million; in 2013, Disney posted sales of about $45 billion." Disney's political donations also far outpace the city's other large donors, according to Pimentel: "The Anaheim Police Officers Association Independent Expenditure Committee has spent at least $75,658 on various mailers and ads in this election. The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce’s PAC has spent at least $23,075, and the chamber, separately, has spent $65,000 through another PAC."
As for details on the streetcar plan, Art Marroquin reported in May that the city was studying a newly proposed route for the line, which would run between the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center and the Anaheim Convention Center, with stops at Disney's two theme parks and several other entertainment destinations along the way.
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