An Invitation to a Discussion on Strengthening the Legal Framework for Public Participation: New Tools for Local Governments

Saturday, October 6, 2012

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phoenix Convention Center North Building 122BC Street Level

The legal and policy framework for public participation in the United States is made up mostly of laws and ordinances that are over thirty years old. This framework does not match the expectations and capacities of 21st Century citizens, it pre-dates widespread use of the Internet, and it does not reflect the lessons learned in the last two decades about how to engage citizens productively in public life. Most of these laws mandate public hearings, open comment periods, and other passive, formulaic participation processes; these processes are rated poorly by both citizens and public servants, and often seem to have a negative impact on policymaking and trust in government.

In response to these challenges, leaders of the International City/County Management Association, American Bar Association, National League of Cities, National Civic League, Participatory Governance Initiative, Policy Consensus Initiative, and Deliberative Democracy Consortium have worked to produce new legal tools for cities, including a sample ordinance that can help local officials update the local legal framework for public participation.

Join the working group that has been working on these issues on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. for an interactive discussion of the legal challenges facing public participation, and the new tools available for cities. The meeting will be held at Phoenix Convention Center North Building 122BC Street Level.