Axios Boston

September 26, 2024
Good Thursday morning, Boston.
Today's weather: 🌧️ Mid-60s and probably rain.
Today's newsletter is 660 words — a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: 👀 Overseeing the Legislature
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 thier 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 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.
2. 🔙 Back that Mass. Up: Red Line bummer
There's just no winning for Red Line riders: the Ashmont branch of the T will shut down Saturday for one day, meaning both Red Line branches will be shuttle-only south of JFK/UMass. (WCVB)
The U.S. Senate referred Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre to federal prosecutors for a criminal investigation for failing to comply with a subpoena to testify. (AP)
Brandeis University President Ronald Liebowitz, who faced budget problems, student protests and a faculty no-confidence vote, will resign in November after running the Waltham college for eight years. (Globe)
The building with the bright "industrial real estate" neon sign in Fort Point could be converted into apartments under the new breaks for converting office space to residences. (UHub)
A Fall River seafood plant that supplies local supermarkets is accused of hiring migrant 15-year-olds to work in the plant. (TPR)
3. 🍕 One lunch to go: Lily's Bar Pizza Patio
There's a dearth of proper sit-down restaurants open for lunch in downtown Boston nowadays after the pandemic left operators concentrating on the dinner crowd.
- But if you're hungry and in the Financial District, stop by Lily's Bar Pizza Patio at 33 Batterymarch for a solid pie in a modern upscale dining room.
What we ate: The Sausage and cherry pepper pizza — $19.50.
- It's a 12-inch tavern-style with the usual mozzarella, plus pecorino and some very flaky parmesan garnish.
A drawback is this mural with a familiar-looking astronaut prominently displayed.
The verdict: The pizza was pretty good, but the service at the bar on a Monday afternoon was glacial.
Pro tip: Lily's operates a take-out spot on Oliver Street where you can grab slices to go and skip the wait.
Go deeper: The ultimate Boston-area pizza guide
4. 🍽 The most Boston food bracket


It's the last round of our tournament to find the most quintessential Boston food.
The finals: It's down to North End cannoli vs. classic clam chowder.
- Those ricotta-filled shell desserts pulled off a squeaker of a win over fried clams yesterday.
- Clam chowder is in a commanding spot: it's beaten every contender so far by at least 32 percentage points.
Deehan is counting the days until More Layers Season.
Steph has an extended layover in Charlotte after missing their connection to Logan.
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
Sign up for Axios Boston





