In a rarity on Beacon Hill, Auditor Diana DiZoglio introduced she has began the primary audit of the state Legislature in over a century.
“We hope this will increase transparency, accountability and equity in an area of state government that has been completely ignored. Historically, the Legislature has been a closed-door operation, where committee votes have been hidden from the general public, and legislation has been voted on in the dark of night,” DiZoglio stated in a press release.
According to the previous state Senator from Methuen, the state’s lawmakers have, for too lengthy, gone with none kind of oversight of their dealings.
“Unfortunately, the Legislature has not been audited since 1922, while Massachusetts ranks as one of the least transparent and least accessible state governments in the nation,” she stated.
DiZoglio, who continuously promised an audit of the Legislature whereas campaigning for workplace, instructed the Herald she will not be at liberty to say simply precisely what she’s trying into, for now.
“National Government Auditing Standards prevent us from disclosing details about audit topics before the audit is complete so as to not compromise the integrity of the audit,” she stated by way of textual content message. “Regarding audit topics for this particular audit, I must refer you to my statement but look forward to discussing these topics in full with you once the audit is complete.”
It is unclear if the Auditor has the authority to research the workings of the Legislature.
Former Auditor Suzanne Bump stated earlier than her departure the Legislature was not listed among the many over 200 state departments and businesses topic to the auditor’s oversight and famous the state House and Senate will not be merely authorities businesses however comprise their very own department of the federal government.
It can also be unclear whether or not the Legislature will even enable itself to be topic to an audit. House Speaker Ron Mariano’s workplace didn’t provide remark when requested in regards to the concept and Senate President Karen Spilka’s workplace didn’t reply by press time.
None of that, apparently, is stopping DiZoglio, who can at the very least declare she was despatched into workplace with a mandate to do precisely what she is now trying.
“It is my hope that the Legislature welcomes the opportunity for an audit to uncover where we can, and must, do better as a state government,” she stated. “Our office looks forward to working with them.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”