| I’ve been happy to see the return of in-person hearings at the State House. There’s a liveliness to a hearing room that can’t be replicated on virtual platforms. But what I’m even happier about is that the Massachusetts State House has kept the option of virtual testimony for hearings. Not everyone has the ability to trek to downtown Boston and wait for hours for their time to testify. Perhaps because of a job with rigid hours. Or small children at home. Or difficulties with transportation or mobility in general. Keeping this remote access is critical, and it’s to the State House’s credit that they have done so. But we need to see it expanded across city and state government. An Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings (H.3040 / S.2024) would make the hybrid meeting accessibility we’ve seen over the past few years permanent, prioritizing state agencies and elected municipal bodies and providing resources to cities and towns to make the change. If you are able to testify in person or virtually, you can sign up here by 3 pm today. (Wouldn’t it be nice if the Legislature gave at least a week of notice? A fight for another day….) But even if you can’t testify in person or virtually, your written testimony still matters. Can you email the Legislature in support of hybrid meeting access for all? |
