TLP: Ohio Lawmakers Can Now Blame Everything on Being Drunk

If you've ever spent any time around your state legislators, you can see this is a win-win.

The Columbus Dispatch:

Liquor and law will mix at the Statehouse beginning later this month.

The first full-service bar will appear at the Statehouse on July 11 when the reinvented Capitol Cafe reopens in the lower level of the landmark state building. The cafe is closed for 10 days to accommodate a change in operators, to Milo's Catering and Banquet Services from Catering by Design.

The big change will be the addition of a full-service bar, "complete with flat screen televisions," according to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, the state agency responsible for the Statehouse and grounds. The bar will host special events and "private happy hours," but it also will be open to the public at times to be designated.

Sounds like a real time-saver. They can go get liquored up with lobbyists, reporters, hookers – whomever, no judging – right there in the statehouse. Even legitimate constituent interactions would likely be smoother if conducted over a cocktail. And who wouldn't rather see legislative disagreements settled in a bar fight rather than a tedious committee meeting?

Are you paying attention, Congress?