INFLATION ALERT: TUCSON

Pima County is proposing a 40% increase in sewer fees. It had previously proposed a 53% increase. This will probably be promoted as a 13% savings. Federal regulations control the amount of nitrogen in the water released into the Santa Cruz River. Why are the feds involved? No one knows. In any event, upgrades must be made to two treatment plants by 2015 at a cost of $797 million in 2010 dollars.

The good news is that with this nitrogen restriction, you will be able to do more fishing for healthier fish in the Santa Cruz. Decoded for out-of-town readers: there are no fish in the Santa Cruz River. There is no water in the Santa Cruz River except for a few days in summer floods. It is a dry wash. So why are the feds so concerned about the health of the fish in the Santa Cruz, requiring us to spend $797 million to protect non-existent fish? That's just one of the mysteries of life. (Pictured, left, the Santa Cruz at flood stage)

Next I expect federal regulations on the asphalt mix we can use patching the roadway on Broadway to protect the health of the non-existent eagles nesting in the potholes (r).