Downtown, 2000

Within a few days, parking meter rates will double in various downtown locations. Double. The economy has tanked. This year we've seen increases in bus rates, Metro rides, and now meter rates. I admit I have not been following this parking meter issue at all. I was just shocked to read about it this morning in the Examiner. The paper reports that the rate increase from $1 to $2 per hour was passed in emergency legislation by the D.C. Council.

I have some questions for our informed readers. Why did this huge rate increase need emergency legislation? What was so pressing that the council felt it had to bypass the usual route? Here's what the Examiner reported:

"'I don’t think anyone wants to pay more to government,'said [Councilmember Jim] Graham, who introduced the emergency bill. 'But this government has cut its budget. We’re faced with a situation now where we either continue to cut or we find some new revenue to address fundamental needs for some very poor people.'

At-large Councilman Phil Mendelson voted against the bill, he said, because it was introduced with little analysis to justify the increases. The council, he said, should not adjust its meter rates 'piecemeal.'"

* Miss the debate? Don't head to the live blogs: Head to the live blog of the live blogs.

* G.W. student blog The Colonialist has a couple photos of Dick Cheney being released from G.W. Hospital. He waves.

* Dear China: Wish we could give you some advice on this whole fledgling democracy thing. Regrets, The United States of America. [via Polymeme]

* Via Talking Points Memo: Ayers, Shmayers; even those people who believe Barack Obama is a terrorist are still voting for him. Says one Obama supporter:

"Well, I don't know much about this terrorist group Barack used to be in with that Weather guy but I'm sick of paying for health insurance at work and that's why I'm supporting Barack."

And in this newspaper:

- Photographer Darrow Montgomery and Senior Writer Jason Cherkis document the end of a Columbia Heights relic and ask: Does anybody care?

- Your Reel Affirmations film fest guide.

- In Cheap Seats, Dave McKenna talks race and Redskins. What's black and white and reluctant to integrate all over?

- In Loose Lips, Mike DeBonis does Peter Nickles does Alberto Gonzales.

- and The Sexist launches its Manliest Workplace in D.C. tournament!

Photo by Jason Mogavero