RI Official Calls on McKee to Relax Open Meetings Law & Allow Remote Attendance Again
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Official Calls on McKee to Relax Open Meetings Law & Allow Remote Attendance Again
Cranston City Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, who calls herself a “progressive Republican,” said that in light of the state’s rising COVID numbers, that elected officials should be allowed to participate in meetings remotely once again.
“We need to relax Open Meeting Law in RI again, allowing elected officials’ remote attendance @ meetings (w/ a valid medical/caregiving excuse). This Covid uptick will disproportionately have negative effects on women & parents- even more so moms, esp single moms & POC #justsaying,” Renzulli Tweeted on Wednesday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTNumbers -- and Meetings
As GoLocal reported on Wednesday, Rhode Island COVID hospitalizations have increased to more than 200, according to the RI Department of Health.
The agency's epidemiologist warned physicians last week that due to diminished staffing levels at Rhode Island’s hospitals, the capacity for COVID cases is approximately 175.
In July, McKee’s previous executive order allowing public bodies to meet remotely ended, after he had previously renewed the order multiple times.
Former Governor Gina Raimondo had put the order in place in March 2020 when coronavirus first began to spread, allowing public bodies such as city and town councils, school committees and elections boards to meet by teleconferencing, which is normally prohibited by the state’s Open Meetings Act.
Renzulli had more to say on Wednesday, below.
