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Villaraigosa Now Fundraising to Pay Off Parade
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The official Lakers parade on Wednesday will cost $2 million, split evenly between the city and the Lakers. Of course, with the city scrapping every nickel and dime to save the city budget, the politicians are coming under fire. The LA Police Protective League is not happy and rightfully so considering employees citywide are being forced on furloughs and some will be laid off. "At a time of financial crisis, when the public expects -- and quite frankly should demand -- city leaders to be good stewards of every tax dollar, it is foolish for elected officials to favor spending 1 million tax dollars on a three-hour parade," the union's president said in a statement. Now Mayor Villariagosa is reportedly getting private donations and has raised a several hundred thousand dollars. While we're at it, can we change the route, too, Mr. Mayor?
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