Telework has increased substantially as a result of COVID-19. According to research reported by the National Bureau of Economic Research, about half of all employed Americans now work from home, including 35% of workers who switched to remote work during the pandemic. In response, many employers — including state government departments and agencies — are developing or revising their telework policies and programs. As they do, it’s critical that telework be accessible and usable to all employees, including those with disabilities. Not only does this enable more employees to benefit from the flexibility, time and cost savings and health protections offered by telework, it ensures that agencies comply with civil rights laws and disability-related policies.
Broadband has long been hailed the new essential utility. For years, states and cities have been leveraging various resources and taking steps to increase access in order for communities to reach their fullest potential. Still, significant access gaps remain and, moreover, affordability is a barrier for many who live in areas where services exist. The pandemic has proven just how vital broadband access is for families to remain safe, healthy and connected.
This update expands upon remote participation in state legislatures to provide a current snapshot of practice and plans for remote participation across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Table 1 summarizes the types of remote participation utilized by each state. Changes are marked with triple X’s. States prefer to at least allow participation by tele-means, such as telephone or teleconference. Previously 10 states either did not or were not planning to utilize remote participation in the legislature, although that list has decreased to nine as the Alaska Senate attempts to allow participation by video conference.
Five states have updates this week. They are:
Alabama
Alaska
Illinois
New Mexico
Wyoming
Type of Remote Participation by State (updated Feb. 9)
The Senate announced last week that members will convene in committees by video conference unlike the House which is scheduled to meet for nine days in February with only one being approved for remote participation.
Video of committee action will be available on the legislature’s website.
House members contested a lawsuit’s allegation that temporary rules allowing remote participation violate the public’s rights to due process as more than 15,000 people watched or participated in legislative proceedings during the first week of session.
Governor Mark Gordon, Senate President Dan Dockstader, and House Speaker Eric Barlow have committed to a plan for a hybrid remote and in-person session beginning March 1. The plan includes requirements such as social distancing, masks, and that all executive branch members participate in legislative business remotely.
This analysis was last updated on February 9, 2021. If you have additional information or would like to update the information for your state, please contact Sierra Hatfield via email at [email protected].
States are still grappling with how — or if — to reopen K-12 schools in the fall. States are exploring a wide range of options, from mandated in-person school to a fully-remote version of school. Most states fall between these two extremes, seeking a hybrid option of some in-person and some remote learning.
With the implementation of strict public health measures in the U.S. in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually no aspect of American life has been left untouched. The conduct of elections has proven no exception. In an effort to prioritize the safety of voters and poll workers alike, numerous states have instituted no-excuse absentee voting, loosened requirements for permanent absentee status, expanded vote-by-mail procedures and explored drive-up options for voting and registration.
As the coronavirus pandemic temporarily curtailed many businesses’ in-person operations, layoffs and furloughs were quick to follow. Although the permanency of these layoffs is still unclear, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that job losses throughout the pandemic culminated in an unemployment rate of nearly 14.7% by the end of April. Of the positions lost, approximately 950,000 were previously held by workers with disabilities, putting the unemployment rate among these workers at 20%[1].
Both public health guidelines and the desire among state officials to protect poll workers and voters alike have prompted states to implement changes to voting procedures throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Governors in over 17 states have issued executive orders delaying elections and prioritizing mail ballots. Furthermore, over 200 bills have been proposed by legislators that seek to enhance the ability of voters to safely cast their ballot as well as help elections officials to process and count mail ballots.
Many businesses are using new and evolving technologies to remain open or to re-open while meeting state public health guidelines. Temperature checks, new sensors and cameras are becoming the new normal. Businesses are installing fever-screening stations and various digital trackers designed to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Some employers are pushing for continuous monitoring during work shifts and extra security personnel to assist with these endeavors. But state officials must weigh both privacy concerns and potential COVID-19 mitigation benefits in deciding whether to implement these emerging technologies.
Following natural disasters and in times of national crisis, America’s private sector steps up to aid the states. We are proud of the herculean efforts of CSG Leadership Circle and Associates, our private sector members, as we combat COVID-19 together.
Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states.
With the need to keep asymptomatic Americans away from health facilities to limit the spread of coronavirus this spring, the federal government and state governments deployed a variety of strategies and regulatory changes to increase access to telehealth. Now many experts are predicting those changes are likely to stay in place as the emergency subsides and efforts are in the works to ensure they do.
