Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

The Los Angeles City Council has taken the next step in their efforts to oppose Arizona's immigration reform law.  They have voted to join in a lawsuit against the Grand Canyon State along with the SEIU, UFCW and all the usual suspects.  But there's a wrinkle - former Mayoral candidate Walter Moore points out that the Clowncil voting to have the City join the lawsuit is actually a violation of the City Charter; as well, even voting to boycott Arizona is outside the Council's charter authority.  Moore has sent a letter to City Attorney Carmen Trutanich urging his office not to get involved and noting that a resident of the City could turn around and sue the City over the issue.  In the meantime Paul Hatfield reports that the Valley Glen Neighborhood Council is the very first in the City to have gone on record opposing the City's boycott.

Always classy Betty Pleasant is peeing her pants in joy.  Betty, who never misses the opportunity to take potshots at Councilman Bernard Parks, is "reporting" that District Attorney and newly minted Attorney General candidate Steve Cooley is investigating Parks' residence status.  Betty also claims "friends" in the DA's office have sent her documents from the investigation.  That might be illegal Betty, you better call an attorney soon.  In a related note the Sister City learned today that Cooley is investigating yet another elected who does not live in the District they represent.  We can't say who but when it comes out it will be a doozy.

You may remember that several journalists, including several Spanish language television reporters and crews,  were roughed up by LAPD officers following the May Day Immigration melee in 2007.  Wednesday the City Council voted to approve a total of $450,000 in settlement payouts to some of those journalists.  More lawsuits are still pending.

The always interesting Here in Van Nuys blog has a thoughtful post.  On Van Nuys Blvd, several major car dealerships have moved and the old facilities are being razed and the asphalt being pulled up.  This gives one the rare opportunity to see a wide swath of empty Valley land.  It also gives pause as to what could be done with such.  For example, a shopping and dining experience built around an urban farm.  Sadly, there are no intelligent developers in the Valley who can't see beyond frozen yogurt and nail shops but wouldn't it be cool if there was one who could figure out how to make money building a restaurant that grows some of it's own food right outside the window?