The return of in-person hearings at the State House. There's a liveliness to a hearing room that can't be replicated on virtual platforms.

But even better is that the Massachusetts State House has kept the option of virtual testimony for hearings. Not everyone has the ability to trek to downtown Boston and wait for hours for their time to testify. Perhaps because of a job with rigid hours. Or small children at home. Or difficulties with transportation or mobility in general.

Keeping this remote access is critical, and it's to the State House's credit that they have done so. But we need to see it expanded across city and state government.

An Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings (H.3040 / S.2024) would make such hybrid meeting accessibility permanent throughout government, prioritizing state agencies and elected municipal bodies and providing resources to cities and towns to make the change.