Can the state auditor audit legislature? Voters may soon decide

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. 22 News Statehouse reporter Ellen Fleming explains the question and why it has caused quite a stir on Beacon Hill. Come this November, voters could be asked to decide whether or not the auditor's office should have the explicit authority to audit the legislature. Auditor Diana DiZaglio first announced she planned to audit the legislature 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 the Democratic leaders. DiZaglio has now turned 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're being so transparent about their finances, but yet at the same time we know that 33 nondisclosure 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 nondisclosure agreements. And we know that nondisclosure agreements cover up potential harassment, discrimination, abuse, and they could be covering up things like even potential outright corruption. Even though leaders have not cooperated, DiZaglio 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 valid initiative, DiZaglio will need to collect over 12,000 signatures by mid-June in order to get on the ballot. Working for you at the Statehouse in Boston, Ellen Fleming, 22 News.