"In 2024, nearly 72% of Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question specifying that the state auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature. Now, momentum could finally be growing towards a long-awaited audit. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments Wednesday in the matter of whether or not State Auditor Diana DiZoglio can sue the Legislature to force their compliance without going through Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office. Multiple justices expressed a desire to see the case move forward toward some form of resolution, perhaps by setting a deadline for Campbell to decide whether she will represent DiZoglio, the Legislature, or neither."
"DiZoglio, who has made auditing the Legislature into her signature issue, was rebuffed by legislative leaders in the wake of the ballot question's approval. They voiced concerns about DiZioglio's audit potentially violating the constitutional separation of powers, and said that they already provide the public with necessary levels of transparency. Legislative leaders like House Speaker Ron Mariano have heavily criticized DiZoglio, saying her audit is more about political theater and advancing her own ambitions."
"Campbell has yet to officially decide whether she would represent DiZoglio's office in suing the Legislature, saying instead that DiZoglio is refusing her requests to lay out the full scope of the audit she intends to conduct. So in February, DiZoglio sued the Legislature directly. Campbell said that DiZoglio did not have the authority to file the lawsuit, calling it a "ploy to sidestep the required approval" of her office. Campbell moved to strike down the suit, arguing that her office is the "gatekeeper" that is empowered to determine when intergovernmental legal disputes require a judicial reso"
In 2024, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question granting the state auditor authority to audit the Legislature. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments on whether Auditor Diana DiZoglio can sue the Legislature to compel compliance without going through Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office. Several justices indicated they wanted the case to proceed toward a resolution, potentially by setting a deadline for Campbell to decide whether she will represent DiZoglio, the Legislature, or neither. Legislative leaders previously rebuffed DiZoglio, arguing her audit could violate separation of powers and that existing transparency is sufficient. Campbell has not decided on representation and contends DiZoglio refused to provide the full scope of the intended audit. DiZoglio sued the Legislature directly, while Campbell argued the lawsuit was an attempt to bypass required approval and that her office serves as a gatekeeper for intergovernmental legal disputes.
#massachusetts-supreme-judicial-court #state-auditor-vs-legislature #attorney-general-representation #separation-of-powers #ballot-measure-audit-authority
Read at Boston.com
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