BOSTON, Mass. — State Auditor Diana DiZoglio testified in front of a committee, saying she wants the voters to decide if her office can audit the Legislature — something she believes she already has the power to do, but some have question if it's legal. 

“The purpose is to expressly state that the auditor has the authority to audit what it already has the authority to do,” said DiZoglio. “The only reason why we have to go to the ballot with this measure is because legislative leaders refuse to obey current law as it is clearly written.”

If the question makes it on to the ballot, voters would be given the option to make it expressly legal for the Legislature to be audited. DiZoglio would be able to audit things like legislative funds. 

“It is shameful, frankly, that we have to even go to these extents to even insert the language, the general court, into the language of the law, to get the Legislature to willingly cooperate,” she said. 

Right now there is some question if it is constitutionally allowed, but DiZoglio believes there is case law to back her up. She was a member of both the House and Senate in her career. 

Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Hampden and Worcester) supports the measure in the name of transparency. 

“We have our own government operations, and we spend several million dollars within our operations. Why not make that public?” said Sen. Fattman. “There is nothing that I fear hiding, and I don't think any legislator should. It's also a good government message, you know, that the books of the Legislature should be open, transparent, and accountable.”

The committee Sen. Fattman sits on now will have the option to pass the measure, propose a substitute, or take no action. If they take no action, the state auditor will need more than 12,000 more signatures to file the question on the ballot.

Sen. Fattman says that if it does make it on the ballot, he would vote in support. 

Democratic Sen. Michael Moore (D-Worcester) told Spectrum News 1 in a statement:

“I believe the Massachusetts Legislature ought to be subject to accountability measures like audits just as every other state agency, branch, or body is. Although it will be a needless distraction from the real issues everyday Bay Staters are facing, a ballot measure seems like it may be the only way State Auditor Diana DiZoglio will be granted the authority to audit the Legislature. I am hopeful that this matter will be settled quickly so that we can keep the State House’s focus on the real issues – the cost of living, our emergency shelter system, our public school systems, and more.”