The ongoing battle over Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s authority to audit the House of Representatives has intensified following voter approval of Ballot Question 1, which allows such audits. The question passed overwhelmingly in the November 2024 election, with 72% of voters in favor. Despite this overwhelming support, 15 months have passed without an audit taking place.
On February 10, DiZoglio took legal action against House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, appealing to the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to enforce the 2024 law that grants her the right to audit the Legislature. In her petition, she emphasized the law was enacted after significant voter support and contended that the current lack of compliance reflected a deeper issue of accountability within state governance.
Conflict with Attorney General Andrea Campbell has also emerged, as DiZoglio has requested assistance in her legal endeavors. However, Campbell asserts that she requires additional clarification regarding key legal aspects of the case before proceeding. In response, DiZoglio accused Campbell of stalling the process to allow the Legislature time to destroy potential evidence, calling it a form of public corruption. DiZoglio’s accusations extend to a purported coordinated effort between Campbell and the Legislature to ignore the audit mandate.
Amid heightened scrutiny, House Speaker Mariano defended the budget increase for the Attorney General’s office, claiming it was aimed at tackling unconstitutional actions from federal administration while dismissing DiZoglio’s allegations as politically motivated distractions. Spilka’s spokesperson labeled DiZoglio’s claims as insignificant and suggested that independent audits are already being conducted yearly by external firms.
Furthermore, DiZoglio noted past audits highlighting issues with lost or destroyed records within state agencies, drawing parallels to her current situation. In a previous audit conducted in October 2024, DiZoglio found significant shortcomings in the transparency and accountability of legislative processes, raising concerns over the Massachusetts Legislature’s practices compared to other states.
Despite the legislative resistance to DiZoglio’s authority to audit, proposed new rules have emerged. A recent vote in February 2025 saw the House reject an amendment allowing her to perform annual audits, with opponents arguing that this change would infringe upon the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
In other legislative developments, the Senate has passed bills aimed at modernizing language related to individuals with disabilities, ensuring transparency in landlord-tenant relationships regarding emergency access, and better protecting pet owners during states of emergency. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to adapt laws to contemporary societal values and ensure fairness among residents.
While the situation surrounding the audit continues to unfold, it underscores the broader themes of governmental transparency and accountability, and the importance of respecting the will of the voters. DiZoglio’s resolve in pursuing her mandate reflects a commitment to uphold democratic principles and serves as a reminder of the electorate’s voice in shaping governance.