County Officials Step up Despite Pandemic Limitations

Posted 5/14/21 (Fri)

The headline in the January/February issue of County News read, “A Session Like No Other.” Indeed, it was. From the outset, plans were made to limit direct public access to the Capitol in favor of the kind of technology that had become quite familiar, nearly a year into the pandemic.

But a legislative hearing is no ordinary streaming event. The instruction video for how to submit testimony and how

to appear for online testimony was 21 minutes long. To testify, you needed to sign up, then wait (and hope) for your invitation to the Zoom meeting, so submitting written testimony as a backup plan was always wise.

Nevertheless, county officials persisted. NDACo Executive Director Terry Traynor said, “Our members really stepped up to the challenge of using the technology when required, and navigating the in-person requirements when possible. They made a huge impact on a number of bills.”

Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner, who testified both online and in person, stated, “I really want to commend the Legislature for their efforts to include testimony by any means possible. They showed how important it is for our system to include input from citizens.”

As the 67th Legislative Session progressed and the state went from national leader in per-capita exposures to lifting the mask mandate, in-person testimony became more commonplace; but even with social distancing and masks, it was discouraged if avoidable. NDACo’s legislative team, supported by scores of county officials, made an indispensable impact with their calls, emails, written and personal testimony. “It was a good session for counties,” Traynor said, “A truly great team effort.”

NDACo will compile and distribute a Legislative Final Report in the near future.