We got word on Monday of a new report released by ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy that examines similarities between Phoenix and Los Angeles.

The report lists a whole host of remarks made by Arizona leaders over the past few decades warning Phoenicians of how to avoid becoming — gasp! — “another Los Angeles.”

The Morrison Institute researchers say that local leaders’ “Not L.A.” mantra hasn’t led to any decent plans for making Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun a better place.

We’ll go one step further to say that all the “At least we aren’t L.A.” talk is pure hogwash.

For as long as we can remember, the Valley has offered home buyers a cut-rate Southern California experience — the same sunshine, palm trees and red-tile roofs for something like half the price.

That’s not to mention the fake tans, bleach-blond hair and abundance of beach attire found at Valley nightlife hotspots, some of which even call themselves “beach clubs.”

Even the folks over at the Morrison Institute can’t help but compare us to the City of Angels, even though they base their comparison on more substantive public-policy issues.

“Our city seems so obviously the younger sister of a Hollywood starlet that comparison and emulation are inevitable,” the report said.

The way we see it, the Valley of the Sun has incorporated so many SoCal touches that the image crafted by those homebuilders and club owners has become reality. We’ve become another L.A., with another Hollywood to boot.

For proof, check out today’s Arts & Entertainment section on page 6, which profiles current and former students who dance with Rihanna and race around the world on the CBS reality show “The Amazing Race.” And let’s not forget how many cast members ASU has contributed to “The Real World” — and “Shane’s World,” for that matter.

Now, Hollywood isn’t all glitz and glamour. Homelessness, especially among young people, is a big problem in a town where many go in search of stardom only to have those hopes dashed.

And anyone who’s been to the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses has likely seen that homelessness isn’t limited to L.A. Neither are smog, sprawl and congestion — the three focus areas of the Morrison Institute’s comparison.

But before we go on to think about those big issues that affect both the Valley and the Southland, we’re going to take a moment to enjoy our newfound star status.

And we’ll keep on hoping that another self-fulfilling prophecy pans out — namely that we’ll see some real sand and real surf at Tempe Beach Park while it’s still warm enough for us to wear our cute new board shorts.