By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH 

CONCORD — On Friday, Democratic House members called on legislative leadership to ensure public remote access to committee meetings and sessions be continued in the next biennium.

The Joint Legislative Facilities Committee meets later in the day to talk about the $21 million legislative budget for the upcoming biennium.

House Minority Leader Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, said he and Democrats want assurances money is in that budget to continue remote access for the public.

“Public participation in the process by any standards has been a success, with many more people observing the legislative process,” he said at a video press conference.

Cushing and Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, have submitted a letter to House and Senate leadership asking to make sure funding for remote access is included in the state’s next biennium budget now before the Senate Finance Committee.

“For a citizens’ legislature,” Cushing said, “it is important for citizens to engage with us.”

On Friday, Cushing said public remote access has opened the process up to many more people from those in Coos County to people with disabilities.

“Sunshine is good for everyone and especially good for the process of government,” he said.

At the beginning of the session, Democrats sought remote access to House sessions for its vulnerable members at high risk if infected with the coronavirus, but to date House Speaker Sherman Packard has not agreed to that arrangement saying a House rule forbids it.

A federal appeals court ruled last month the legislature is bound by the Americans with Disabilities Act and must provide modifications for members, but Packard has asked the court to stay its order while it is appealed to the US Supreme Court.

Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.