Picture of the Week: RI Legislators Drink Up for the Holidays

PROVIDENCE, RI—So, here's the follow-up to last week's sensation about drinking at the General Assembly. You may recall a freshman legislator from Providence, Rep. Moira Walsh, caused a little stir when she gave a radio interview and mentioned "insane drinking" on Smith Hill.

This week, right in front of the camera, the lawmakers toasted St. Joseph's Day. Rep. Moira Walsh, D-Prov., in the white sweater, right foreground, is seen drinking plain water, but the other legislators did not seem at all chastened by her comments about boozing in the halls of government.

But the story started Patch wondering.

Many Rhode Island cities and towns have strict policies that forbid alcohol use inside the Town Hall and in other public buildings. Occasionally, the policy comes in for a review.

Patch wants to know if your City or Town has such a policy and why.

Maybe, we'll even find out who pays for the liquor when the General Assembly has a toast.

Photo Caption: Rhode Island State Rep. Moira Walsh, second from left, drinks from a water bottle while others raise glasses of wine in honor of St. Joseph's Day, in the House Chambers at the Rhode Island Statehouse, Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Providence. The toast was a part of Irish and Italian cultural celebrations held in the legislative chambers. Walsh last week said that there's an "insane amount of drinking" in the building. Legislative leaders have disputed that. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)