Public Perception of Beacon Hill Hits Lows

... As battles over transparency on Beacon Hill escalate, a new poll commissioned by the Pioneer Institute found that Massachusetts residents overwhelmingly support subjecting state government's most powerful institutions to greater public scrutiny. The survey lands as lawmakers and reform advocates spar over the voter-approved audit law of 2024 and a proposed ballot question aimed at opening the Legislature and governor's office to the state's public records law. Just over 87% of respondents said government transparency is "extremely important" to achieving democratic ideals. More than 82% said legislators should allow Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the Legislature, and nearly 79% said lawmakers should voluntarily comply even if the Supreme Judicial Court ultimately rules that the audit law is unconstitutional. The poll also found broad support for other transparency reforms that echo ongoing policy fights on Beacon Hill. More than 86% said the Legislature should be subject to the public records law, while 83% said the governor's office should release records as well. The Senate last week sought an SJC advisory opinion on the initiative, raising concerns that it is unconstitutional. Legislative leaders point to livestreamed sessions and hearings and the public posting of committee votes as among their recent transparency reforms. The survey of 642 Massachusetts residents, conducted in early March by Opinion Diagnostics, found 28% of respondents had a favorable view of the Legislature ...

- Sam Drysdale | SHNS