BOSTON (WWLP) – This week, the committee tasked with reviewing ballot questions heard testimony for a possible measure that voters in western Massachusetts may be able to decide upon.
Come this November, voters could be asked to decide if the auditor’s office should have the explicit authority to audit the legislature. Auditor Diana DiZoglio first announced she planned to audit the legislation last year and was quickly hit with resistance from top Democrats on Beacon Hill.
Both the House Speaker and Senate President said they would not cooperate with an audit because the auditor does not have the authority to do so. Another heavy hitter, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, sided with democratic leaders.
DiZoglio has now turn to the people of Massachusetts to give her that authority. She is hoping come November, voters will be able to decide for themselves if the auditor has the power to audit the legislature.
“They have claimed that they are being so transparent about their finances, but yet, at the same time, we know that 33 non-disclosure agreements have been handed out in the House of Representatives. We don’t know why however, we don’t know how much of our taxpayer dollars was spent on those non-disclosure agreements. And, we know that non-disclosure agreements cover up potential harassment, discrimination, abuse, and it could be covering up things like even potential outright corruption,” said Auditor DiZoglio.
Even though leaders have not cooperated, DiZoglio has gone forward with her plan to audit the legislature anyways. She is currently looking into things such as hiring and spending information.
Now, if the legislature chooses not to act on this ballot initiative, DiZoglio will need to gather more than 12,000 signatures by mid June to get on the ballot.
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Ellen Fleming
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