Remote participation in government improved access, but maybe at a cost
By Katie Lannan
State House News Service
In Northampton, holding meetings remotely allowed the city's police review commission to offer real-time Spanish interpretation. One member of that panel -- Booker Bush, a 69-year-old physician who also serves on the Northampton Human Rights Commission -- told state lawmakers Wednesday that he's been more involved in the political process over the past year than any other in his life.
Myra Ross, an Amherst resident who is blind, said she's been able to participate in municipal meetings because of platforms like Zoom and that "losing this opportunity to be an equal participant would be a tragedy to Massachusetts."