2024 Question 1: Difference between revisions
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'''Question 1''' was an [[initiative petition]] on the ballot in the [[2024 state election]] on November 5, 2024. It specified that the [[State Auditor]] had the authority to audit the [[Legislature]]. The measure passed with 71.6 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|author=Secretary of the Commonwealth|title=2024 - Statewide - Question 1|url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/ballot_questions/view/11620/}}</ref> | '''Question 1''' was an [[initiative petition]] on the ballot in the [[2024 state election]] on November 5, 2024. It specified that the [[State Auditor]] had the authority to audit the [[Legislature]]. The measure passed with 71.6 percent of the vote.<ref name="stats">{{cite web|author=Secretary of the Commonwealth|title=2024 - Statewide - Question 1|url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/ballot_questions/view/11620/}}</ref> | ||
== Ballot wording == | |||
From the [https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/publications/information-for-voters-24/quest_1_full_text.htm Commonwealth of Massachusetts website], | |||
"<big><big><b>State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature</b></big></big> | |||
<b>Be it enacted by the People, and by their authority:</b> | |||
A LAW EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO AUDIT THE LEGISLATURE" <ref>{{cite web | |||
|url = https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/publications/information-for-voters-24/quest_1_full_text.htm | |||
|title = Commonwealth of Massachusetts}}</ref> | |||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
During State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's successful 2022 election campaign, she promised to start conducting audits of the Legislature. Until her election, the Auditor's office had not audited legislative finances since 1922.<ref name="unnecessary">{{cite web|author=Matt Stout|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/24/metro/wholly-unnecessary-mass-house-speaker-says-he-will-not-comply-with-state-auditors-legislative-probe/|title= | During State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's successful 2022 election campaign, she promised to start conducting audits of the Legislature. Until her election, the Auditor's office had not audited legislative finances since 1922.<ref name="unnecessary">{{cite web|author=Matt Stout|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/24/metro/wholly-unnecessary-mass-house-speaker-says-he-will-not-comply-with-state-auditors-legislative-probe/|title='Wholly unnecessary': Mass. House speaker says he will not comply with state auditor's legislative probe}}</ref> | ||
On March 7, 2023, DiZoglio's office began an audit of the Legislature, citing that "Massachusetts ranks as one of the least transparent and least accessible state governments in the nation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/news/statement-from-state-auditor-dizoglio-regarding-an-audit-of-the-massachusetts-state-legislature|title=Statement from State Auditor DiZoglio Regarding an Audit of the Massachusetts State Legislature|author=Office of the State Auditor}}</ref> | On March 7, 2023, DiZoglio's office began an audit of the Legislature, citing that "Massachusetts ranks as one of the least transparent and least accessible state governments in the nation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/news/statement-from-state-auditor-dizoglio-regarding-an-audit-of-the-massachusetts-state-legislature|title=Statement from State Auditor DiZoglio Regarding an Audit of the Massachusetts State Legislature|author=Office of the State Auditor}}</ref> | ||
On March 24, House Speaker [[Ron Mariano]] announced in a letter to DiZoglio that he would refuse to meet with her or otherwise cooperate with the audit. In the letter, Mariano claimed that the audit was unconstitutional and that all relevant financial records were already published online.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/the-letter-from-the-speaker-of-the-house-of-representatives-house-to-osa-dated-march-24-2023-responding-to-osas-engagement-letter/download|title=OSA Letter AGO re Legislative Audit.pdf|author=Ronald J. Mariano, Speaker of the House}}</ref> | On March 24, House Speaker [[Ron Mariano]] announced in a letter to DiZoglio that he would refuse to meet with her or otherwise cooperate with the audit. In the letter, Mariano claimed that the audit was unconstitutional and that all relevant financial records were already published online.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/the-letter-from-the-speaker-of-the-house-of-representatives-house-to-osa-dated-march-24-2023-responding-to-osas-engagement-letter/download|title=OSA Letter AGO re Legislative Audit.pdf|author=Ronald J. Mariano, Speaker of the House}}</ref> | ||
DiZoglio then requested Attorney General [[Andrea Campbell]] to uphold her authority to audit the Legislature. However, Campbell instead decided that under current law, the Auditor could not force a legislative audit. She did not comment on whether a legislative audit would also violate the [[Massachusetts Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web|title=From the Office of the Attorney General|url=https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/statehousenews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/47/647751ac-7a43-11ee-a507-73ab1a0c0e0a/6544e5acbcd60.pdf.pdf|author=Andrea Joy Campbell}}</ref> | |||
== Campaign == | |||
In August 2024, it was reported that legislative leaders would not attempt to defeat Question 1 on the ballot, instead planning to fight it in the courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/political-notebook-lawmakers-wont-campaign-against-audit-ballot-question/|title=Political Notebook: Lawmakers won't campaign against audit ballot question|author=Bruce Mohl}}</ref> | |||
== Results == | |||
The question passed overwhelmingly, receiving 71.6% of the statewide vote and at least 68.1% of the vote in every county.<ref name="stats"/> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:2024 ballot questions|1]] | [[Category:2024 ballot questions|1]] | ||
[[Category:Legislative transparency|Question 1]] | [[Category:Legislative transparency|Question 1]] | ||
[[Category:Successful initiative petitions for legislation]] | [[Category:Successful initiative petitions for legislation]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:45, 22 January 2025
Question 1 was an initiative petition on the ballot in the 2024 state election on November 5, 2024. It specified that the State Auditor had the authority to audit the Legislature. The measure passed with 71.6 percent of the vote.[1]
Ballot wording[edit | edit source]
From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website,
"State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature
Be it enacted by the People, and by their authority:
A LAW EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO AUDIT THE LEGISLATURE" [2]
Background[edit | edit source]
During State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's successful 2022 election campaign, she promised to start conducting audits of the Legislature. Until her election, the Auditor's office had not audited legislative finances since 1922.[3]
On March 7, 2023, DiZoglio's office began an audit of the Legislature, citing that "Massachusetts ranks as one of the least transparent and least accessible state governments in the nation."[4]
On March 24, House Speaker Ron Mariano announced in a letter to DiZoglio that he would refuse to meet with her or otherwise cooperate with the audit. In the letter, Mariano claimed that the audit was unconstitutional and that all relevant financial records were already published online.[5]
DiZoglio then requested Attorney General Andrea Campbell to uphold her authority to audit the Legislature. However, Campbell instead decided that under current law, the Auditor could not force a legislative audit. She did not comment on whether a legislative audit would also violate the Massachusetts Constitution.[6]
Campaign[edit | edit source]
In August 2024, it was reported that legislative leaders would not attempt to defeat Question 1 on the ballot, instead planning to fight it in the courts.[7]
Results[edit | edit source]
The question passed overwhelmingly, receiving 71.6% of the statewide vote and at least 68.1% of the vote in every county.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Secretary of the Commonwealth. "2024 - Statewide - Question 1".
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Massachusetts".
- ↑ Matt Stout. "'Wholly unnecessary': Mass. House speaker says he will not comply with state auditor's legislative probe".
- ↑ Office of the State Auditor. "Statement from State Auditor DiZoglio Regarding an Audit of the Massachusetts State Legislature".
- ↑ Ronald J. Mariano, Speaker of the House. "OSA Letter AGO re Legislative Audit.pdf".
- ↑ Andrea Joy Campbell. "From the Office of the Attorney General".
- ↑ Bruce Mohl. "Political Notebook: Lawmakers won't campaign against audit ballot question".