DiZoglio Walking the State in Support of Legislative Transparency
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Marybeth Mitts of Lenox, the independent candidate for the Third Berkshire, left, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, and Great Barrington Town Democratic Committee members Michael Wise and Susan Pettee.
This week, DiZoglio will be walking from Berkshire County to Boston to raise awareness for ballot question one, which would give the auditor the authority to audit the Legislature.
This is something that is considered routine in other states, and it was done in Massachusetts by the State Auditor's Office until the early 1990s when the legislative leadership decided to no longer allow these audits to take place, DiZoglio said on Friday, as she started her journey.
"I talked to the state auditor in Connecticut who said that they audit their state legislature so often as a matter of routine that it barely makes the press because it's such a matter of routine," she said.
The ballot question would subject the Legislature to the same level of public oversight and accountability as other government bodies, DiZoglio said.
"We are ranked as the least transparent state legislature in the nation even as a state that is as progressive and forward-thinking as Massachusetts. We do continue to be ranked dead last by most good government groups regarding transparency and accountability," she said.
"So, this ballot measure seeks to open up the doors, let the sun shine in, and make sure that they get audited the same way that every other state entity gets audited."
DiZoglio started her walk at the W.E.B Du Bois museum, and concluded for the day Friday at the Prairie Whale for dinner.
Starting the journey at the museum was poetic because DuBois was recognized for being a civil rights advocate and fighting for democracy and democratic values, she said.
"I thought that was great, just because our campaign is a campaign for increased transparency in a democratic system here, where we are fighting for a transparent democracy," DiZoglio said.
During her journey, she met several residents who demonstrated a "welcoming, warm, intelligent, strong, determined and persistent" community.
"Many have been surprised that the Massachusetts Legislature has pushed back so forcefully against simply providing access to receipts about how they're spending our taxpayer dollars and documents that shine a light on how they're entering into state contracts," DiZoglio said
"They have been hiding those documents from public view. That's unacceptable."
There is pushback from having this passed because the people who are established on Beacon Hill like the way things are going now, said Michael Wise, chair of the Great Barrington Town Democratic Committee.
"There are a lot of things wrong with the way things are going right now on Beacon Hill. It is showing the signs of sclerosis of a one-party regime," he said of a Legislature that's been under Democratic control since 1959.
"My concern has always been that it's vulnerable to corruption at the moment, we haven't had a corruption scandal, a serious one, for a few years, but that didn't say much, because historically, the Massachusetts Legislature has had one every 10 years or so. We're probably due."
Three speakers of the House, one of the most powerful political positions in the state, have been convicted of felonies in the last 30 years.
People from both political parties and several other organizations support this ballot question, DiZoglio said.
"I'm happy to have the support of the local Republicans and state Republican Party alongside of Democrats. It's been very inspiring to see this initiative bring folks from across the political spectrum together, especially in such a politically divisive time of year, coming into election season," DiZoglio said.
"We see a lot of divides, of course, and there are certainly partisan issues. This particular issue is one that most folks can agree on. It's good government, and it's been exciting to get to know folks from across the political spectrum, regardless of party affiliation."
The audit would identify challenges, suggest improvements to serve residents, and hold the Legislature accountable.
While on her walk through the Berkshires on Friday, she stopped at Paige's Place in Otis, where she was immediately greeted by the chef, who invited her to sing with him.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to meet with people like yourself and just making connections with folks, letting folks know that I am available to discuss issues of concern with them, should they have any issues they want the State Auditor's Office to examine," DiZoglio said.
A common thing that DiZoglio hears, which is similar to what was said in her hometown in the
Merrimack Valley, is that residents in the area feel disenfranchised, dismissed, and ignored by Beacon Hill because the population is not as big, and they are not at the epicenter of what's happening politically.
"We understand why Western Mass, in general, wants to see more of their elected officials and wants us to have a presence out here. So, we really made a consistent and concerted effort to make sure that that's happening," she said.
DiZoglio commonly works from the auditor's office in Chicopee to hike the trails in the Berkshires.
"This town is accustomed to getting attention from the auditor because her predecessor was a member of my committee and had a place here in Great Barrington and voted here," Wise said, referring to Suzanne Bump, who stepped down after 12 years in the post.
This 141-mile walk across Massachusetts allows residents to meet DiZoglio, ask her questions, share their concerns and allows DiZoglio to spread the word about Ballot One.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to meet with residents and raise awareness about shining a light on the dark areas of state government to give folks greater opportunity to access information that they deserve as taxpayers," she said.
She expects to arrive on Beacon Hill on Friday. More information on the auditor's walk and her position on the ballot question can be found here.
Tags: ballot measure, state auditor,
