Create Statewide rules for public comment periods

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Paul Wolf
August 22, 2023

EDITORIAL: Create statewide rules for public comment periods

With the Mohonasen school board becoming the latest government body to set restrictions on public comments during meetings, maybe it’s time for state lawmakers to create a minimum, consistent ...

The Schenectady Daily Gazette raises an interesting point of creating statewide rules for public comments.

“Because there are no statewide rules for when, how or if boards conduct public comment periods, the rules are inconsistent from board to board, even within the same municipality.”

A statewide rule would ensure that boards allow at least some public comment at their meetings and follow a basic set of standards to ensure the public is treated fairly and equally.

The public has a right to know what goes on at public meetings. It’s time citizens also have a right to comment at them.”