BOSTON (WWLP) – Just two weeks before voters weigh in on question 1, the state auditor released a report detailing her office’s attempts to audit the legislature and House and Senate democrats’ refusal to participate.
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who ran for office on the campaign promise of auditing the legislature, says these audits are a historical practice that Massachusetts needs to return to.
She released a statement alongside her report. “Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of our democracy and enable the people to participate in government as intended,” said DiZoglio. “If there is nothing to hide, open up the doors and let the sunshine in.”
Both top leaders in the House and the Senate responded to this report, arguing that auditing the legislation would violate constitutional separation of powers.
A spokesperson for the senate president, Gray Milkowski, said “The auditor is singularly focused on the upcoming election and promoting her ballot question, while the legislature has been busy doing the people’s business.” The House Speaker claimed the auditor is underperforming on her mandated reviews because of time spent on this campaign.