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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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Councilman Calls L.A. the 'Virtual ATM Machine for the National Political Parties'

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Air Force One landing in Los Angeles in August | Photo by tara_photos via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr

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Remember when President Barack Obama last month came to town for a fundraiser, prompting the ultimate rush hour traffic hell? Traffic is bad in Los Angeles -- we all know that -- but that was just ridiculous. A couple days afterwards, westside L.A. City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl said he wanted a report on how the city determines street closures when the President or other high-ranking dignitaries are visiting the city.

In Rosendahl's motion, which will be taken up during Wednesdays Transportation Committee, he introduced the issue with this gem: that Los Angeles is "the virtual ATM machine for the national political parties."

Yes, thanks to Hollywood, the city is attractive to politicos, but the issue remains for future presidential visits, no matter who is in office. That's why Rosendahl additionally asked for better methods of moving traffic during future visits, or at the very least, better communication to residents and commuters.

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