With celebrations of America’s 250th birthday in full swing here and across the nation, Nassau County residents are experiencing the steady erosion of their ability to exercise their free speech rights and directly petition the representatives that they elect.
This is in direct conflict with the foundational principles of our nation, which were built around an essential core of representative democracy and free speech. We can – and must – reverse this disturbing trend.
In January, during the organization meetings at which the rules for this term of the Legislature were established and codified, the Legislative Majority, led by Presiding Officer Howard J. Kopel, immediately changed the rules so members of the public were only permitted to speak on the day’s agenda at the beginning of the committee meetings - before officials had the opportunity to present important information about the items being voted on. Previously, public comment was allowed after committee members deliberated and before votes.
Alongside my Democratic colleagues, I voted against this rule change, and we have repeatedly urged the Presiding Officer to remove this unnecessary barrier to meaningful public participation and informed civic engagement. Unfortunately, those requests appear to have fallen on deaf ears, as no response or justification has been provided as of this writing.
Public participation is a cornerstone of good government. Residents deserve a meaningful opportunity to comment on matters before their elected representatives take action, particularly on issues that directly affect their communities. Limiting that opportunity diminishes transparency, reduces public trust, and weakens the connection between government and the people it serves.
This rule change at the Legislature is a symptom of a larger climate that seeks to stifle opposing voices, reduce transparency, and cut off access, and it relies on the public being disengaged and discouraged so that the people in power can operate without proper oversight.
As we have witnessed here in Nassau County and across our nation, such a climate is a breeding ground for mistakes, short-sighted decisions and even corruption. Locally, we can take three important steps in the short term to chart a course toward transparency and greater civic engagement.
The first step would be to immediately revert to the previous rules of the Legislature in which the public can comment on committee items after they have witnessed the full public airing of key facts and details.
In addition, the Presiding Officer would serve the public well by lifting the one-hour cap on public comment at meetings of the full Legislature when a calendar item or a contemporary issue generates significant public interest. Currently, once the hour expires, residents must wait until the end of the meeting to weigh in. However, previous Presiding Officers have allowed all speakers to comment at the start of the meeting, no matter how long it took, when attendance and a desire to speak demanded it. It is our job to listen, and we should not be using the rules of the Legislature as a tool for discouraging public participation.
Finally, the Legislature should hold meetings in the evening. Holding all our meetings at 1 p.m. is a disservice for individuals who want to attend a meeting but cannot because they must prioritize their jobs. As economic challenges increasingly pressure local families, most simply cannot afford to take several hours off from work to attend a Legislature meeting.
Evening committee and Legislative meetings would better serve the residents of Nassau County by providing greater accessibility and convenience for constituents who wish to participate in their local government and speak directly with the representatives they elected to serve them.
Under this approach, matters of significant public interest, controversial issues, and legislation with a substantial impact on residents would be scheduled during evening sessions to maximize opportunities for public engagement and participation. Daytime sessions would be reserved primarily for procedural, administrative, and operational matters, as well as time-sensitive issues requiring prompt action by the Legislature.
In life, our actions reveal our priorities, and how we operate at the Legislature demonstrates our philosophy as public servants. Nassau County residents deserve a government that is built about transparency, openness and responsiveness - one that respects their voices and encourages their input in the pursuit of a better, more prosperous life for all who live here.
Embracing a more balanced approach would promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and ensure that working families, seniors, students, and other community members have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the legislative process and have their voices heard.
Viviana L. Russell, of Westbury, represents the communities of Nassau County’s Second Legislative District.