Live Streaming

🏛️ The Case for Transparency, Accessibility, and Modern Governance

Despite the rise of remote work, virtual events, and digital accessibility, many government meetings are still “In-Person Only – No Remote Participation Allowed.”

This outdated approach excludes millions of citizens who want to stay engaged with their communities but face barriers to attending in person.

The good news? Live-streaming is simple, affordable, and already the norm in many places.

✅ All 50 state legislatures now live-stream their public meetings.
✅ A growing number of states, including Vermont, Massachusetts, and Indiana, require live-streaming.
✅ YouTube is free, and any smartphone or tablet can broadcast a meeting with ease.

So why aren’t all local governments on board?

Here are 30 compelling reasons why live-streaming should be a standard practice for public meetings.

🏥 Health & Safety: Why In-Person Only is a Risky Policy

1️⃣ Contagious Illnesses – People often don’t know they are sick. Requiring attendance in person puts everyone at risk.

2️⃣ Elderly Accessibility – Many seniors, especially taxpayers who have contributed for years, can’t travel safely.

3️⃣ Disabled & Unwell Residents – Many individuals face serious health conditions that make attending in person impossible.

4️⃣ Immunocompromised Individuals – At least 25% of Americans are either immunocompromised or live with someone who is. Live-streaming protects their health.

⚖️ Legal & Ethical Considerations

5️⃣ Negligence Concerns – Failing to provide a reasonable accommodation (like live-streaming) could be considered negligence.

6️⃣ Climate Smart Commitments – NY now has over 432 Local Govts. that have ratified the official NY “Climate Smart” pledge, now covering over 9 Million New Yorkers.  

7️⃣ Ethical Use of Taxpayer Funds – Government employees often receive travel reimbursements to attend meetings. Remote participation saves public money.

8️⃣ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – The ADA predates the internet, but future updates could mandate live-streaming. Why wait to do the right thing?

🌍 Social Impact: Who Gets Left Out?

9️⃣ Military Service Members – Those stationed away from home deserve to stay connected with their local government.

🔟 Working Citizens – Taking time off work to attend a meeting isn’t realistic for many employees.

1️⃣1️⃣ Caregivers – Parents and family caregivers can’t always leave home to attend meetings.

1️⃣2️⃣ Frequent Travelers – Work or personal travel shouldn’t mean losing access to local government.

1️⃣3️⃣ Seasonal Residents (“Snowbirds”) – Many New Yorkers leave in winter but still want to engage.

1️⃣4️⃣ Women’s Safety – Many women feel unsafe attending nighttime meetings alone.

1️⃣5️⃣ Low-Income Residents – Travel costs, including gas, parking, and public transport, can be a barrier.

1️⃣6️⃣ People Without Transportation – Not everyone owns a car or has reliable public transit.

1️⃣7️⃣ Unfair Rules of Decorum – Some in-person meetings impose controversial or discriminatory rules that discourage public participation.

1️⃣8️⃣ Local News Journalists – As newsrooms shrink, live-streaming makes it easier for journalists to cover meetings and keep the public informed.

💰 Economic & Environmental Benefits

1️⃣9️⃣ Reduced Personal Travel Costs – The 2025 IRS mileage rate is now 70 cents/mile, and rising each year. Live Streaming eliminates unnecessary expenses.

2️⃣0️⃣ Saving Public Funds – Remote participation reduces travel reimbursement costs for public employees.

2️⃣1️⃣ Avoiding Childcare Costs – Many caregivers must pay for childcare or respite care just to attend a meeting.

2️⃣2️⃣ New York’s Geography – 54,000+ square miles make travel to meetings impractical for many residents.

2️⃣3️⃣ Mountainous & Rural Areas – Bad weather and difficult terrain make some trips unsafe, especially in winter.

2️⃣4️⃣ Extreme Weather Events – Flooding, ice storms, and heat waves are now more frequent. Remote access is a necessity.

2️⃣5️⃣ Canadian Wildfire Smoke – Public health officials now urge people to stay inside during smoke events, but many governments still refuse to offer remote access.

👩‍💼 Public Employment Benefits

2️⃣6️⃣ Attracting & Retaining Talent – Remote work is now the #1 most desired job feature. Requiring live-streaming supports recruitment efforts.

2️⃣7️⃣ Protecting Public Employees’ Health – Reducing exposure to contagious illnesses improves job safety and reduces sick leave.

🌟 The Bigger Picture: Trust, Transparency & Community Branding

2️⃣8️⃣ Boosting Public Engagement – The easier it is to participate, the more engaged a community will be.

2️⃣9️⃣ Restoring Trust in Government – Transparency matters. Live-streaming makes government more accessible and accountable.

3️⃣0️⃣ Stronger Community Branding – A town or city that refuses to live-stream public meetings looks outdated, disconnected, and unwelcoming to new residents, businesses, and investors.

Many rural areas are struggling to attract and retain young workers. At a time when demographics are shifting, outdated policies make it harder for local governments to stay competitive.

👉 Live-streaming public meetings is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

🏁 The Bottom Line

Live-streaming public meetings is affordable, easy to implement, and already common in many states.

It promotes public health, transparency, economic savings, and civic engagement.

So why aren’t more municipalities doing it? The excuses are running out.

📢 If you support live-streaming in your community, speak up!

📩 Share your thoughts or suggestions with us at: live-stream@nyopengov.org