Image: Rep. Elaine Davis pictured with Rep. Monty Fritts & Senator Mark Pody Image Credit: State Representative Elaine Davis / Facebook
Op-Ed by David Seal, Tennessee Conservative News Staff Writer –
Elaine Davis is not just a state representative; she is a public servant with the best interests of the state of Tennessee at the forefront of her legislative priorities. She understands the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and acts according to her oath.
Those of you that know me understand that I do not hand out complements flippantly. I reserve high praise for the most significant and impactful people that advance good policy with virtuous motives. Elaine Davis deserves high praise for standing up for everyday citizens who wish to address their elected representatives at meetings.
Elaine is proposing legislation (HB22) that would require local governing bodies to provide a period of citizen input at their meetings “(1) On matters that are germane to the items on the agenda for the meeting; and (2) On any matter that is germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body, regardless of whether such matter is an item on the agenda for the meeting.”
Like Elaine, I too served on county commission in my home county and routinely heard from citizens during the public comment period of the agenda. Some were hard to listen to while others provided good ideas that led to good policy. In Jefferson County, we always made time for citizens to speak on the topic of their choice and I am proud that we did.
It takes a lot of guts for citizens to stand in front of their governing body at a podium and address a packed auditorium with people, news media, and bright lights. They don’t do it because it is fun. They do it because, in their view, it is necessary.
Most county and city governments are mindful of the framer’s intent concerning Article 1, Section 23 of our sacred state constitution and provide time for citizen comment. That section reads as follows: “That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by address or remonstrance.”
The key words of that section are “instruct their representatives”
There are times when it is just more efficient for all members of a governing body to hear ideas all at the same time. Such presentations can be tone-setting and impactful on policy decisions.
Opposition to HB22 is coming from a very small number of local municipal governments, the loud minority that wish to limit public input at meetings.
We must ask ourselves why individuals would want to hold local public office and then strictly limit public participation at policy making meetings. If your local government opposes HB22, you need to ask why.
You also need to call your state legislative delegation and respectfully ask that HB22 be made law. It is not too much to ask that citizens have standing at open meetings. The locals get to make rules for speakers at their meetings, which should neutralize any fears that speakers will overtake the meeting or impede the business at hand.
The government does not belong to the representatives that have been loaned temporary decision-making power; it belongs to the governed. Let’s all work together to get HB22 enacted.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
Endorsement Of Proposed Tennessee Law To Require Citizen Input At Public Meetings
Endorsement Of Proposed Tennessee Law To Require Citizen Input At Public Meetings
Image: Rep. Elaine Davis pictured with Rep. Monty Fritts & Senator Mark Pody Image Credit: State Representative Elaine Davis / Facebook
Op-Ed by David Seal, Tennessee Conservative News Staff Writer –
Elaine Davis is not just a state representative; she is a public servant with the best interests of the state of Tennessee at the forefront of her legislative priorities. She understands the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and acts according to her oath.
Those of you that know me understand that I do not hand out complements flippantly. I reserve high praise for the most significant and impactful people that advance good policy with virtuous motives. Elaine Davis deserves high praise for standing up for everyday citizens who wish to address their elected representatives at meetings.
Elaine is proposing legislation (HB22) that would require local governing bodies to provide a period of citizen input at their meetings “(1) On matters that are germane to the items on the agenda for the meeting; and (2) On any matter that is germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body, regardless of whether such matter is an item on the agenda for the meeting.”
Like Elaine, I too served on county commission in my home county and routinely heard from citizens during the public comment period of the agenda. Some were hard to listen to while others provided good ideas that led to good policy. In Jefferson County, we always made time for citizens to speak on the topic of their choice and I am proud that we did.
It takes a lot of guts for citizens to stand in front of their governing body at a podium and address a packed auditorium with people, news media, and bright lights. They don’t do it because it is fun. They do it because, in their view, it is necessary.
Most county and city governments are mindful of the framer’s intent concerning Article 1, Section 23 of our sacred state constitution and provide time for citizen comment. That section reads as follows: “That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by address or remonstrance.”
The key words of that section are “instruct their representatives”
There are times when it is just more efficient for all members of a governing body to hear ideas all at the same time. Such presentations can be tone-setting and impactful on policy decisions.
Opposition to HB22 is coming from a very small number of local municipal governments, the loud minority that wish to limit public input at meetings.
We must ask ourselves why individuals would want to hold local public office and then strictly limit public participation at policy making meetings. If your local government opposes HB22, you need to ask why.
You also need to call your state legislative delegation and respectfully ask that HB22 be made law. It is not too much to ask that citizens have standing at open meetings. The locals get to make rules for speakers at their meetings, which should neutralize any fears that speakers will overtake the meeting or impede the business at hand.
The government does not belong to the representatives that have been loaned temporary decision-making power; it belongs to the governed. Let’s all work together to get HB22 enacted.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.