CINCINNATI - Five years after voting to curb panhandling by requiring that panhandlers apply for a license to annoy others, Cincinnati City Council has taken an abrupt 180 degrees turn.  On Wednesday, they voted for a 50 percent increase in panhandling, licensed or not, with an increase in Metro fares from $1.00 to $1.50.

"Panhandlers want to panhandle so they can ride the Metro," said David Crowley, "And we're going to help them on both counts.  I don't know why, but John Cranley seems to think that panhandlers don't have a right to experience cutting-edge hybrid technology, first-hand."

Similar to the city, Cranley has changed his position 180 degrees, but in the opposite direction.

In calling for the increase, Metro Executive Director Michael Seltzer said they sorta wanted some hybrid buses to replace a few of their antiquated 2004 models. 

"This fare hike to fund six new environmental hybrids achieves some of Metro's loftiest goals:  less crowded earth-friendly buses and more available seats next to sexy hippie chicks." said Seltzer, "The increase in panhandling is just a nice side effect."