The lighter side of the Capitol, usually.

Capitol Cliches Bingo, 2025 edition

A tip of the hat to former state Rep. Rob Witwer, who recently reminded us all of some of the nonsense that has gone on around here in the past.

As it turns out, a lot of those cliches are still in use today.

So for your listening pleasure, the 2025 version of Capitol Cliches Bingo.

It might be bad form to repeat some of the comments Capitol M heard about a couple of these. 

A glimmer of hope, maybe

On very cold days, like earlier this week, it would have been nice to have a decent cafeteria in the Capitol. For the last few years, the best thing about the cafeteria was the breakfast burritos, but at the beginning of the 2025 session, even those were gone. All that was left were snacks and a few frozen meals. No thanks.

There’s good news to report: Pipi, who used to run the cafeteria over at the Ralph Carr Justice Center, has now taken over the basement cafeteria. She promises some major additions: hot soup, wraps and sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and all handmade. It’s taking her a little time to get some of the logistical details worked out, but with luck, by the end of January you might be able to get a decent meal in this building. It’s been a long time coming. 

Obligatory dog mention

One of the things the Capitol Press Corps does at least once every legislative session is to scour the building to figure out where all the lawmakers have their offices. This information is only partly published (for the House) and isn’t available until February, and your Capitol M grew weary a few years ago of being asked “do you know where so-and-so’s office is?” So we get a team together to figure out where everyone is. And no, you can’t have the list.

In the course of looking up everyone’s offices, we found this gem.

G.R. Pippin shares an office with Reps. Meg Froelich and Karen McCormick, his owner. He is a MUCH beloved dog around the Capitol; he willingly stops for hugs and pets and “good dog” moments. Pippin, who is now about 5, is a regular contestant for “Cutest Dog” at the Capitol. 

GR stands for “golden retriever.”

We could not help but be amused.

The “Paw-licy” team at the Legislative Services Building

The hunt for offices also turned up these two cuties, both greyhounds.

The bigger dog, Sylvie, is a former racer and the official greeter at the offices of Reps. Manny Rutinel, Chad Clifford, Eliza Hamrick and Tish Mauro. The other dog, Tchami, aka Tommy, is a Galgo (Spanish) greyhound. He’s security.

This is their favorite way to hang around.