Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, told VPM News/Next City the new restrictions highlight the “difficult balancing act” facing municipalities. “The bigger question for these cities is, do they really want to be making it more difficult for citizens to engage with elected officials?” Farnsworth said. “It's a key measure to get a sense of the public's pulse, so to speak, if you can have these vibrant comment periods.” Amid calls for Gaza ceasefire, Richmond City Council restricts public comment (VPM)