LETTER: Transparency Is The Missing Ingredient In Our Commonwealth

Dear Editor,

Boston prides itself on being the ‘Cradle of Liberty,’ but Beacon Hill remains in the dark ages when it comes to government transparency. It is a staggering fact that Massachusetts is the only state in the country where the Governor, the Judiciary, and the Legislature all claim they are exempt from public records laws.

This isn’t just a technicality; it’s a barrier between the people and their government. We saw this clearly in 2024 when 71% of voters approved a ballot measure to allow State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the Legislature. Despite a massive mandate from the public, leadership has continued to fight this oversight in court, essentially telling the voters that their voices don’t matter once the polls close.

Even when the House passes “transparency reforms,” they often turn around and suspend their own rules to rush through massive budgets behind closed doors. We deserve to know how our representatives are voting in committee—where most bills go to die—without having to jump through hoops or guess what happened in the shadows.

It is time for the “Cradle of Liberty” to stop being the “Cradle of Secrecy.” We need a legislature that respects public records, welcomes independent audits, and operates in the light of day. If our leaders are proud of the work they are doing, they should have no reason to hide it.

Sincerely,

George Ferdinand