D.C. to cash in on extra inaugural hours

More than 1 million people are expected to flock to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2009, to see Barack Obama's historic inauguration as our 44th president.

And Washington, D.C., officials want to make sure that those Obamaniacs get to party as hearty and long as they want.

Emergency legislation approved by the D.C. Council on Tuesday will allow any District establishment with a liquor license, including restaurants and nightclubs, to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. That's three hours after the usual closing time.

In addition, eateries in the national capital can serve food round-the-clock from Jan. 17 until the morning after Obama's swearing-in on Jan. 20.

By a 9-to-4 vote, council members approved the measure, saying Washington must be able to meet the entertainment demands of the Obama inaugural revelers. 

The idea for extended hours came from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. Restaurateurs argued that Obama's inauguration is a once-in-a-lifetime event worthy of special rules.

Supporters also cited similar actions by other cities. During this summer's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., eight bars and restaurants were allowed to remain open until 4 a.m.

Not everyone is happy about it, including some who complained that the council did not seek public input.

The city tax collector, however, probably is pleased about the temporary extension of bar and restaurant hours. Not only will D.C. businesses and employees rake in more income that will translate to more corporate and personal income taxes, the District collects a 10 tax on restaurant meals and liquor served for on-premises consumption.

Of course, some of that tax money undoubtedly will go to pay overtime for all the police officers who'll be assigned to make sure the merriment doesn't get out of hand!

You can read more on the extended partying hours in:

• Washington Post
• D.C. Examiner
• NBC Channel 4
• WJLA ABC Channel 7
• WUSA CBS Chanel 9
  

And to see just how much in taxes Washington, D.C., and the 50 states levy on alcoholic beverages, check out the Federation of Tax Administrators' fact sheets on excise tax rates for liquor, wine and beer.