Pols & Politics: Campbell, DiZoglio to Share Stage at St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Amid Audit Dispute

15 hours ago

Attorney General Andrea Campbell and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio are set to share the stage, and perhaps exchange some obligatory playful banter, at this morning’s annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast as they continue their heated legal dispute over conducting the legislative audit approved by 72% of Massachusetts voters in 2024.

The breakfast follows last week’s Supreme Judicial Court decision rejecting DiZoglio’s motion to hire outside counsel as she sues legislative leaders to enforce the audit. It also comes after Campbell posted a video from her car on social media, stating that although an overwhelming majority of voters approved the 2024 ballot question calling for the audit, it "did not automatically become the law."

"When you voted for question one, it did not automatically become the law. There are constitutional limitations to auditing the legislature," Campbell said. "Say Sally in Dorchester, who voted for question one, wanted to audit the Speaker’s emails. That is constitutionally not allowed."

Speaking to the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, DiZoglio challenged Campbell’s claims, calling them "very concerning."

"For the attorney general of this Commonwealth to say that a valid question doesn’t become law after it’s passed by the voters should be very concerning for everyone working on a valid issue right now. Because what that says is that if the political establishment doesn’t like what the people said they wanted, they’re just going to ignore it and rely on the attorney general to say something that’s not true," DiZoglio said, also criticizing Campbell’s example about auditing the House Speaker’s emails.

"I’ve never heard something so ridiculous. If the Speaker is emailing about giving millions of dollars in a state contract to a friend, for example, that would be a matter of public record under the public records law initiative we are seeking to pass," she added.

DiZoglio has accused Campbell of obstructing her efforts to carry out the audit, while Campbell has questioned the audit’s constitutionality and accused DiZoglio of withholding information about the full scope of her planned investigation.

However, another political clash will not occur, as the Boston Herald reported Friday that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will not attend this year’s breakfast. Wu has been feuding with the event’s host, state Sen. Nick Collins, over her unsuccessful push to raise commercial tax rates.

The St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast begins at 10 a.m. at the Ironworkers Local 7 Union Hall in South Boston.

— Tim Dunn

Robes About Town

More than 100 judges are stepping out of the courtroom this month to participate in in-person activities across Massachusetts aimed at increasing public understanding of the judicial system.

"Judicial Outreach Month aims to strengthen public understanding of the court system across the Commonwealth," according to a statement from the state court system. "Throughout the month, judges and other judicial volunteers meet with community groups of all ages to discuss how courts work, highlight the role of an impartial and independent judiciary, build relationships with local communities, and answer questions."

This marks the 10th year of the initiative, which began in 2017 as a week-long event coinciding with the American Bar Association’s National Judicial Outreach Week and expanded to a full month two years later.

Events are scheduled in 13 of Massachusetts’ 14 counties — Dukes County, which includes Martha’s Vineyard and other islands, is the only county without a planned event. To find an event near you, search online for your county along with "Massachusetts Judicial Outreach Month."

— Flint McColgan