Remote access to hearings is good for everyone

TO THE EDITOR:

Last year, due to Covid-19, all proceedings at the State House in Concord were transmitted via Zoom and recorded.

Citizens all over the state were able to testify, leave written comments or just listen in on meetings like subcommittee meetings and legislative sessions. If citizens worked all day, they could review the recorded meeting at night.

Although this remote access to legislative sessions came from the hardship of Covid-19, we learned that it allowed more people to participate, and allowed our legislators to better understand what their constituents thought about the legislation under consideration.

This turned out to be a tremendous step forward for democracy in New Hampshire. Remote access is good for everybody! It is safer on a snow day — don’t drive, listen in! (We save gas and help the environment.) Immunocompromised citizens can participate from the safety of their homes. Students in classrooms can observe democracy in action.

Sadly, plans for the 2022 session do not allow for remote participation via Zoom. Please write Speaker of the House Sherman Packard and ask for remote access to all legislative sessions: sherman.packard@leg.state.nh.us

MARY BETH RAVEN

MERRIMACK