How Question 1 would allow the state auditor to oversee the Legislature
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State Auditor Diana DiZoglio wants to look into the private financial books of the state Legislature, something lawmakers vehemently deny she has the authority to do.
Why it matters: Her protracted conflict with the House and Senate over looking into their books has gotten to the point where voters themselves have to make the call.
Dizoglio is asking voters to give her some power over the General Court via Question 1 on this year's ballot, which would let her office investigate the House and Senate and oversee some of their spending.
- If voters choose Yes on Question 1, DiZoglio and subsequent state auditors could evaluate if the Legislature complies with employee training rules, cybersecurity standards and purchasing practices, according to the Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis.
House and Senate leaders say an executive branch officer like the auditor shouldn't interfere with the legislative branch.
Flashback: DiZoglio gave up her Senate seat in 2022 and ran for Auditor on a platform dedicated to uncovering some of the private dealings of lawmakers.
Her attempts to force lawmakers to open up have been stifled by an uncooperative General Court and legal rulings that her office lacks the power to audit the Legislature.
- DiZoglio's auditor campaign has transformed into that ballot question campaign to grant her the oversight she's looking for.
But if the questions passes, DiZogliop won't be able to see everything lawmakers are up to.
- Much of the meat that lawmakers do behind closed doors -- committee votes, debates, committee assignments and intern policy priorities -- are considered "core legislative functions" that would remain private and out of the Auditor's reach.
The bottom line: Lawmakers aren't mounting an opposing campaign against Question 1, but they could resist a "yes" victory by taking DiZoglio to court, stripping her office of funds, or altering the law in their favor.
- Any new laws created at the ballot, like empowering the Auditor, could easily be revoked or hollowed out by Lawmakers once they come back into session.