To the editor:
The Coalition to Reform Our Legislature strongly supports the ballot question specifying that the state auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature. Greater accountability is one aspect of the reforms we believe are necessary to make the Massachusetts State House more democratic and more effective. This is a good-government measure. An independent audit of the Legislature is an important facet of the checks and balances that are a hallmark of a healthy democracy. It is necessary in order to ensure that the Legislature spends its $87 million annual budget efficiently and effectively. It is an important protection against waste and corruption.
The Legislature resists the state auditor’s call for an audit on the false ground that it would violate “separation of powers.” An audit would in no way infringe on the Legislature’s authority. Every other part of Massachusetts’ government — both the judiciary and the executive branch, as well as every local government — is subject to the broad oversight authority of the elected state auditor. There is no reason the Legislature should not also be subject to audit. It is important to note that the Legislature has already exempted itself from the Open Meeting Law and the Public Records Law, important safeguards of the public’s right to know what is going on in government. In light of this, it is all the more necessary that the auditor be able to exercise oversight of the Legislature’s expenditures and operations on the public’s behalf.
The Legislature has refused to permit the state auditor to conduct an audit and has resisted calls for greater accountability and transparency. It therefore falls upon the voters to clarify that the state auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.
We urge voters to sign the petition to place the question on the statewide ballot.
Sincerely,
Peter Enrich
Coalition to Reform Our Legislature spokesperson
