Pandemic redefines 'public' access to government meetings

Associated Press via ABC ^ | March 14, 2021 | David A. Lieb

[CheshireTheCat]

It wasn’t long ago when a “public meeting” of the city council or state legislature meant the general public could show up to watch and, quite often, speak about proposals and perceived problems.

The coronavirus pandemic has put an end to that in many places, perhaps permanently altering the way the American public interacts with government.

A year after COVID-19 triggered government shutdowns and crowd limitations, more public bodies than ever are livestreaming their meetings for anyone to watch from a computer, television or smartphone. But in some cases, it's become harder for people to actually talk with their elected officials.

An Associated Press survey of state legislatures found that most no longer allow people inside their chambers to observe, and some still do not allow people to testify remotely at committee hearings where legislation is shaped. At some city council meetings convened remotely, the only avenue for public input is a written comment.

“In a way, this is kind of helping move us toward a country where citizens can be more involved in their government through Zoom, and that’s a good thing,” said David Cuillier, an associate journalism professor at the University of Arizona who is president of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.

But overall, he said, the pandemic “has created more problems” for public oversight of government....

[CheshireTheCat]

All part of the grand design.

[rktman]

Heck in Carson City NV the conservative legislators (few and far between) in this session have been denied access to meeting rooms. Public access? Don’t make me laugh. DENIED!

[Bayard]

Every Zoom session has an off switch and a mute button.

Civic mindedness in a new era of virtual oppressions.

[webheart]

One of the hidden benefits of a pandemic and certainly a good reason to prolong it.

[BenLurkin]

Because...COVID...

[wildcard_redneck]

Wasn’t that the result the cretins ruling our country wanted when the started the planscamdemic?

[Truthoverpower]

I’m not so sure about that

now that everything’s on zoom everybody can attend

I know because my dear wife will turn into these town meetings and different locales in my area and they just drone on and on about nonsense

I live in a very white area Marin County and they actually had this really funny one about racism -which was quite hilarious they have so much white guilt it’s incredible

Apparently some boy had used a racial slur epithet on the black kids in Marin city which is our local local projects here

Lol

Liberals ! They’re funny as hell if not so dangerous!

[CheshireTheCat]

I’m really surprised, and saddened, that more parents don’t have hidden cameras set to film their kids’ Zoom school, or better yet, don’t start arguing with the teacher about the finer points of history the teacher got wrong.

That would be a good way of getting schools to back in session.

[shanover]

“In a way, this is kind of helping move us toward a country where citizens can be more involved in their government through Zoom, and that’s a good thing,”

This clown is a f-ing idiot.

[olivia3boys]

I’ve attended every single school board meeting on zoom since the pandemic began and to my horror now we see how the trustees are all hapless, feckless, tone deaf, leftist hacks.

We (parents in our district) are now recalling 3 of them.

This would not have happened without zoom! There’s no way I’d drive to a boring school board meeting. But now I can just listen and multitask; do my dishes, whatever.

[Amendment10]

"But in some cases, it's become harder for people to actually talk with their elected officials."

---

Are taxpaying citizens wrongly confusing lawmakers with teachers and professors that students can otherwise challenge “school” policy and their grades with, but only to a limited extent?

Citizens need to learn to how to primary or recall lawmakers that don’t keep their promises.

In fact, as suggested in other threads, state constitutions need to require candidates for public office to first escrow a refundable “recall deposit” that fully pays for recall election before they can officially become a candidate for office.

Elected officials also need to be required to respond to questions on message boards, provide downloadable resumes and personal references, also publish online why they failed to keep their promises, including failing to help prevent federal government overreach of the fed’s very limited, constitutionally enumerated powers.