Massachusetts Town Urges Action on Voter-Approved Audit Law

As the masses grow increasingly impatient, one Massachusetts community is challenging others to join in demanding that state leaders fulfill the people's wishes and allow an audit of the Massachusetts Legislature's books.

Hoodline.com reported, "On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Reading's Select Board voted to fire off a strongly worded letter to House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, urging them to enforce the voter-approved audit of the state Legislature."

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What Massachusetts Voters Approved in Question 1

Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly (72 percent) approved Question 1 on the November 2024 statewide ballot, authorizing State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to conduct the audit.

Sixty-six percent of Reading voters voted in favor of the audit question.

Lawmakers Have Not Allowed the Audit

To date, Mariano and Spilka have refused to comply with the law. WCVB-TV 5 reported the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will consider DiZoglio's suit to force the audit.

The Boston Herald reported Reading Select Board member Melissa Murphy "hopes other local boards and councils across the Bay State join Reading in urging the Legislature to honor the will of the voters."

How New Bedford Officials Are Responding

I shared Murphy's challenge with 10 of the 11 members of the New Bedford City Council to gauge potential support for accepting the challenge. Three members, all Councilors-at-Large, replied.

Councilor Naomi Carney responded, "Yes, we should join in. I will forward it to the office to make a communication." Councilor Brian Gomes thanked me for sharing.

Councilor Ian Abreu replied, "I like it," before questioning if Murphy was grandstanding.

Just under 70 percent of New Bedford voters voted in favor of the ballot question authorizing the audit.