Local Leaders Share New Plans to Boost Wages and Grow Jobs Beyond Tourism
For many years, leaders running for the top office in the county have talked about bringing higher-paying jobs to the area. They want to raise wages in a region where the economy is heavily built on tourism and theme parks.
The four candidates competing for the region's most powerful leadership role are focusing closely on the local economy. Their ideas to help working families range from expanding space and technology businesses to opening a new military academy and helping residents pay for trade school.
To win the office, candidates will first compete in a primary election. If no single candidate gets more than half of the votes, the top two finishers will face each other in a final runoff election.
The Challenge of Low Wages and High Living Costs
Currently, the local economy relies heavily on travel and tourism. While this industry brings in a lot of money, it also creates many low-paying jobs. Workers are needed to clean hotel rooms, serve food in restaurants, and operate rides at theme parks.
The economic challenges facing the area include:
- High visitor numbers: The region recently welcomed a record-breaking 77 million visitors in a single year.
- Strong tax revenue: Local tourism tax collections are on track to pass $400 million for the first time during the current budget year.
- Low average pay: Out of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the country, this region ranks 49th for median yearly wages, with a typical salary of $45,410.
- Expensive housing: About 61% of renters and 40% of all households in the metro area spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent and utilities, making them housing-burdened.
All four candidates agree that the county needs to attract more technology companies, especially in fields like defense, computer modeling, and simulation.
Chris Messina: Focus on Space Tech and Trade Careers
Chris Messina, a local business owner, believes the county should use its close location to the nearby space center to become a national leader in space technology. The main part of his plan is to help establish a new military service academy dedicated to the nation's space military branch. He estimates this project could bring in at least $1 billion in economic activity.
Messina also wants to help residents learn valuable hands-on skills through a program called Orange County Works. Under this plan:
- The county would spend $10 million each year to pay for trade school training.
- Residents from age 16 through middle age could get certified to become plumbers, electricians, heating and cooling technicians, or other trade workers.
- Once graduates start working, they would pay back half of the training costs over time so they have a personal investment in their education.
Stephanie Murphy: Free Higher Education and High-Tech Jobs
Stephanie Murphy, who previously served in the national government and worked as a national security specialist, has a different plan to help students. Her program, called Orange County Promise, would invest $27 million of county funds each year.
This program would pay for every local high school graduate to earn a two-year associate degree or a certificate from a technical or trade school. Murphy believes this program is necessary to address the current shortage of skilled trade workers and to give businesses a strong reason to move to the area.
With her background in defense, Murphy also believes the region is in a great position to lead in space-based defense technologies. She wants to support the tourism industry while also creating high-paying jobs that will allow young people to stay in the community, build careers, and raise families.
Tiffany Moore Russell: Supporting Local Workers and Existing Businesses
Tiffany Moore Russell, who currently serves as the county's clerk of courts, believes the local government needs to focus on keeping the companies that are already in the area. She wants the county leader to take a very active role in bringing in new employers.
Her economic plan includes:
- Increasing local funding for job training programs.
- Creating more internships and hands-on apprenticeship opportunities.
- Giving financial incentives to companies that promise to hire local workers.
In her current role, Moore Russell raised the starting pay for her staff from $12 to $17 per hour. If elected, she plans to review the pay of all county customer service and field workers to make sure they earn fair wages. She notes that many residents are currently struggling to survive without working multiple jobs.
Mayra Uribe: Speeding Up Government and Helping Mid-Sized Businesses
Mayra Uribe, a current county commissioner, wants to take a direct approach to bringing in new industries. She plans to create a new county department specifically focused on attracting technology and manufacturing companies that pay salaries above $80,000.
Uribe believes the current system for business permits, zoning, and development reviews is not working well. She promises to address these issues within her first 100 days in office. To do this, she wants to hire a special director to help businesses get their paperwork approved quickly.
Additionally, Uribe wants to focus resources on mid-sized businesses that make between $2 million and $25 million in yearly revenue. She believes these local companies are the ones most likely to grow and hire local residents.