More voices are being raised objecting to the Sacramento City Council's decision last week to move a public comment period to the end of meetings from the beginning.
In advance of tonight's meeting, the League of Women Voters sent a letter to the council saying it was "disappointed" by the change, which affects comments on issues not on the council agenda.
The league echoed concerns that because of Regional Transit service cuts that mean no buses or light rail trains start routes after 9 p.m., it might be "impossible" for some residents to speak.
The league suggested an alternative: limit the public comment at the start of meetings to 12 minutes total and put the "overflow" at the end of meetings. The league said that would be much fairer.
Already, the advocates of a "safe ground" campground for the homeless are up in arms. They have been showing up like clockwork and Mayor Kevin Johnson told his colleagues before voting last week against the change that the group was being unfairly targeted.
The supporters of the change complained that "special interests" have taken over the comment period, and argued that moving to the end of meetings will allow them to do the public's business more efficiently.
The Bee's editorial board also opposed the change.
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