Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

 Rizzo by the Sea

Former City of Bell Administrator Robert Rizzo has found a new gig!  Now that everyone knows where he works, don't expect his job to last much past noon today.
UPDATE; Yep, he's gone!

We've got tree sitters in LA County! Protesters are branch camping in an effort to stop the removal of 179 coastal oaks and 70 sycamores by the LA Department of Public Works. LADPW claims they need to make way for debris being dredged from a nearby reservoir. Hang in there tree sitters, I'm on my way!

The DREAM ACT is back! Well, at least a California version of it anyways. The CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT has been introduced by Assemblymember Gill Cedillo. This version can't put the children of undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship but it will allow them to receive educational assistance.

"While the state-based legislation does not confer any immigration benefits, the proposed law would grant qualifying undocumented college students access to institutional financial aid from the University of California, California State University, and Community Colleges. It is a small step that the state can take while we wait for the country to emerge from the dark ages and get on with immigration reform".-change.org

A stunning figure; 1 million homes in the U.S. were repossessed by banks in 2010. Brace yourself, even more are expected to be foreclosed on in 2011.  1 in every 17 households in Arizona had a foreclosure filing in 2010. 1 in every 18 for the Sunshine State.

"Foreclosures are expected to remain elevated through the year as homeowners contend with stubbornly high unemployment, tougher credit standards for refinancing and falling home values. Sharga said he expects prices to dip another 5 percent nationally before finally bottoming out. The decline will push more borrowers underwater on their mortgages. Already, about one in five homeowners with a mortgage owe more than their home is worth." -Fox News

While Fox News employee Sarah Palin was busy yesterday crying victim and offending Jews, President Obama had the opportunity to deliver some very welcome news to the crowd gathered for a memorial at a Tucson sports arena;



And finally, some ducks in Tujunga need your help;

Once again, the army corps of engineers is cleaning the Haines Canyon Debris Basin. There are currently 9 domestic (flightless) ducks in need of a rescue, hopefully before coyote predation strikes. We need as many volunteers as possible as the area is vast.

If you can help, please be at the basin 11:00 am, Sunday, January 16th. The address is 10529 Haines Canyon Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042. If you have questions, please contact me @ moonstruckduck@aol.com.

Also, we are interested in finding a good home for these ducks,. Ducks are great treasures for a yard. Please let me know if you can help in this way as well.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Carol Chrysong
Executive Director
The Lucky Duck Rescue & Sanctuary