Matthew Cella, writing in the Washington Times, takes on D.C.'s 2004 escalation in parking tickets:

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The District last year issued $99 million worth of parking tickets, twice the amount in 1999 when Mayor Anthony A. Williams took office.

D.C. officials said the increase is a response to public outcry, not an aggressive, money-making initiative.

Really? Because usually, D.C. officials say "Yeah, this is totally an aggressive, money-making initiative." Love it. D.C., population 563,384, is making $175.72 per resident in parking tickets each year. But we think this cash should go directly to us, to fund an annual We Hate Maryland and Virginia Drinking Day.—C.S.

District doubles parking tickets [Wash Times]