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Item: City Hall plans to more than double downtown Fresno parking fees over the next decade. The increase started on July 1 when the rate for the first hour of daily parking went from $1 to $3 and the maximum rate jumped to $9 from $7. In addition monthly parking fees increased $25 today -- $60 for uncovered lots and $75 for covered lots.

Analysis: Rates still are lower than any other big city in California, but that's of little solace to downtown merchants and visitors because Fresno has the worst downtown of any big city in the state.

The only businesses that can thrive downtown are those catering to daytime employees. The hikes -- combined with the scores of parking tickets written downtown -- will continue to drive away downtown businesses and discourage citizens from venturing downtown. City Hall was forced to raise fees because downtown parking revenue is needed to pay for Chukchansi Park and downtown parking facilities.

Revenue hasn't been meeting the debt obligations, with the opening of the Save Mart Center luring attractions away from Selland Arena. Maybe now that the Fresno Falcons are returning to Selland, things will rebound downtown.

Know how politicians love to talk about win-win solutions?

This rate hike "solution," though inevitable, is lose-lose.

On the net: How much booze will $8,204 buy?

Would you believe 155 pitchers of beer, 37 bottles of beer, 208 mixed drinks, 111 shots, 43 margaritas and 11 open bottles of liquor? That's what 100 employees of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent -- and drank -- celebrating their annual softball tournament in Washington, D.C. Details are here from my friends at Politico.

Quote of the Day: "It's not going to hurt Selland Arena. [Fresno] "will be a stronger city for it."
-- Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, May 8, 2001, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Save Mart Center.