Civics U: Public Comment
The purpose and goal of civic education is to equip and motivate people to become engaged citizens. Engagement in social and political activities and institutions can take many forms at the national, state, and local levels, ranging from writing a reasoned letter to the editor to marching with placards to expressing support for, or opposition to, an action or cause.
Sometimes an individual citizen’s input and engagement may have little if any immediate impact. Writing a letter to one’s congressman or even to the President will often yield simply a form letter response. And a person who writes a cogent letter to the local newspaper editor on a current issue likely will not see any direct reaction from readers. Nevertheless, such efforts may plant or nurture seeds among other persons and help influence thought and actions at some point. And when individuals join in formal or informal associations to express their views, they may be more likely to gain attention.
Meanwhile there is an avenue that is open, and that even invites input. This is the “public comment.” City councils, county commissions, public radio boards, and local school boards commonly include an opportunity for oral “public comment” in the agenda of their regular meetings. (Not all states require such.) The rules and format vary. Some boards allow public comments only on items already on the meeting agenda; some allow comments on any relevant items and issues.
State departments at times invite public comments on pending proposals, either in writing or orally at public hearings. Even federal agencies provide for “public comment” on current proposals and plans. Major departments of the federal government regularly publish proposed rules and operational plans in The Federal Register and include an announcement of how citizens or organizations can submit input concerning the proposals. For example, the Environmental Impact Statements that are often required as part of plans for land use, are published in the Federal Register and are open to public comments.
It is often not difficult to present a public comment in person or in writing, and when enough people advocate for or against an action, such engagement can gain attention and bear fruit.