Massachusetts Voters Growing Impatient for Audit They Demanded

About 200 people filled the historic Wamsutta Club for a recent meeting of the New Bedford Republican City Committee. The event drew Democrats, Independents and Republicans. The main event was Democrat State Auditor Diana DiZoglio.

DiZoglio, who has been attempting an audit of the Massachusetts House and Senate since before 72 percent of voters asked her to do so in a statewide ballot referendum last November, is taking her case to the people.

Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano have so far resisted the audit, claiming it would be unconstitutional for an elected government official to audit the elected legislative branch.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell has yet to decide what role, if any, she has in settling the dispute. DiZoglio and many audit supporters want Campbell to force Spilka and Mariano to comply with the referendum results by opening the books for inspection.

A recent Fiscal Alliance Foundation poll shows strong support for the audit.

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According to the FAF, "81 percent believe Attorney General Andrea Campbell should enforce the voter-approved law requiring an audit of the state legislature, while just eight percent oppose enforcement."

"Interestingly enough, registered Independent voters showed the strongest response with 85 percent wanting the Attorney General to take action," according to the FAF survey.

The poll, conducted in March, asks voters their opinion on a host of national and statewide concerns, including a now-withdrawn proposal from Gov. Maura Healey to impose a tax on prescription drugs.

Not surprisingly, 83 percent of respondents opposed the idea while just six percent supported it.