1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: It's Night Side with Dan Ray on WBS Boston's news radio. 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 2: All Welcome back everyone. Thank you very much, Dan Watkins. 3 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 2: As we move into our nine o'clock hour, and with us, 4 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 2: I'm delighted to be joined by Massachusetts State Auditor Diana Desaglio, 5 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 2: Madam Auditor, Welcome to Nightside. Welcome back, Dan. 6 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:26,600 Speaker 3: It's great to be back as always, Thanks so much 7 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 3: for having me on. 8 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 2: I know that you are still fighting to audit the 9 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 2: state legislature here in Massachusetts. Most of our listeners, many 10 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 2: of our listeners, don't understand why you haven't been allowed 11 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 2: to perform your functions as auditor and audit the state legislature. 12 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 2: They have basically thrown up a glass wall against you 13 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: that you're trying desperately to get around without any help. 14 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 2: It seems to me from any of the other big 15 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,959 Speaker 2: political wigs up at the State House. You are fighting 16 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,960 Speaker 2: a lonely battle, but you are not quitting. 17 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, quitting is not an option, right Dan. I mean, 18 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 3: we've come this far and there are so many people 19 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 3: who not just voted for this to the tune of 20 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 3: seventy two percent, but think about the folks who took 21 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 3: time out of their lives, their very busy lives and 22 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 3: schedules and sacrifice a lot of time and energy working 23 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 3: really hard on this campaign for Question one to audit 24 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 3: the legislature, collecting over one hundred thousand signatures to get 25 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:42,839 Speaker 3: this issue on the ballot. That is no small feat. 26 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:47,199 Speaker 3: And people came together, Republicans, Democrats, everybody in between across 27 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 3: the political spectrum to say, look, we want good government. 28 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 3: Massachusetts is the least transparent state in the entire nation, 29 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 3: according to most good government groups. In fact, with the 30 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 3: only state in the nation where the legislator, governor's office, 31 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 3: and a judiciary all quim exemptions from the state's public 32 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 3: records laws. We can do better in Massachusetts, and we 33 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 3: need to do better. And I am continuing this fight 34 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 3: because this is something the seventy two percent of the 35 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 3: commonwealth said that they wanted. And oh yeah, Dan, also 36 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 3: because it's the law and we expect lawmakers to follow 37 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 3: the law. 38 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: Well, you're not getting any help from the attorney general 39 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: who announced today that she intends to stand for reelection. 40 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,839 Speaker 2: There's never much doubt about that, but I know that 41 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: this was the day that she announced her intention to 42 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: run for reelection. She has actually and if I'm mischaracterizing 43 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 2: her actions, feel free to correct me. She actually has 44 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 2: been more of a roadblock than an expediter of this process. 45 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 3: The Journey General is on the side of legislative leaders 46 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 3: against the will of the peace people in helping them 47 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 3: to block our access to a courtroom to sue to 48 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:09,639 Speaker 3: make sure that this law is followed. Unfortunately, the Attorney 49 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 3: General continues to allege that she can't enforce the law, 50 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 3: that she's unable to somehow do her job because she 51 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 3: needs me to answer more questions, questions Dan, that we've 52 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 3: repeatedly answered over the course of the last year, but 53 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 3: that she has said it's still not enough to get 54 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 3: her to do this job. So I last week stood 55 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 3: on the steps of the Statehouse and called on the 56 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 3: Attorney General if that's true, if it really is true 57 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 3: that I am for some reason not answering questions, or 58 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 3: if she needs more documents then you know we've provided 59 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 3: her with in order to enforce the law and do 60 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 3: her job as Attorney General. Then she needs to sue 61 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 3: even my office and sue me personally if she believes 62 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 3: that we have information that she needs to do her job. 63 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 3: But of course, Dan, we know that's not true. We 64 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 3: know that the Attorney General doesn't need any more information 65 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 3: from my office to be able to do her job. 66 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 3: We know that we've provided her with everything she needs, 67 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 3: and that the Attorney General doesn't need permission from anybody 68 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 3: to enforce the law. She's a constitutional officer. Her job 69 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 3: is to enforce the law. She's the state's top law 70 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 3: enforcement agent of the Commonwealth, and it is her duty, 71 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 3: not an option. It's her duty to enforce the law 72 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:34,559 Speaker 3: and make sure that there's accountability here. But unfortunately, Madam 73 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,280 Speaker 3: Attorney General has been unwilling to assist the people on 74 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 3: this front because legislative leaders are so powerful that you know, 75 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,119 Speaker 3: they take precedent and their desire to break the law 76 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 3: is unfortunately being put the will of the people and 77 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 3: what the law says. 78 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 4: So you. 79 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 2: For those who are trying to you know, stick with 80 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 2: what we're talking about it and you're very clear by 81 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: the way in how this sets up. You, as the 82 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 2: state audit of the Commonwealth, want to audit the state legislature, 83 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 2: the House and Senate. I'm assuming you probably are not 84 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 2: having many conversations to try to work out an agreement 85 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 2: or an arrangement with either Speaker Mariano or the Senate 86 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 2: President Karen Spiker. Am I assuming that that there's not 87 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 2: a lot of behind the scenes conversations going. 88 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:36,600 Speaker 3: On, mister speaker amount of president, don't speak to me unfortunately. 89 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 2: I'm serious. I say, I'll call it as it is. 90 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 2: That's juvenile. They were an elected official. You're an elected official. 91 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 2: As a matter of fact, you have a larger constituency 92 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 2: than either they do. The Speaker represents two and a 93 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 2: half percent of the state because there are forty state senators. 94 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 2: Mariano represents less than one percent of the state because 95 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 2: there are one hundred and sixty state representatives. You are 96 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 2: one of the six constitutional offices that are elected statewide, 97 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 2: only the governor, only the two US Senators who are 98 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 2: also elected statewide. There's only eight people who are elected 99 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 2: statewide in this commonwealth, and you're one of them. And 100 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: they have small constituencies. Oh, they have a bunch of 101 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 2: colleagues who pay homage and respect and genuflect. But what 102 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:35,479 Speaker 2: a scam this is we have going on here in Massachusetts. 103 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:37,719 Speaker 2: And you're the only one is who is looking to 104 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 2: basically open up this can of worms and let's see 105 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:42,239 Speaker 2: what's there. 106 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, Dan, Look, if you can't take a basic audit 107 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 3: and you need to try to obstruct that work, whether 108 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 3: it's the attorney general of the speaker or is that 109 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 3: a president, my question is what are you hiding? What 110 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 3: you so afraid of? And I continue to say this, 111 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 3: and look, when we audit, we generally speaking find some 112 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 3: areas of needed improvement. And yes, sometimes we find unlawful activity, 113 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 3: but by and large that's not the case. And by 114 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 3: and large we simply find areas for improvement, clerical efficiencies 115 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 3: to be made, administrative efficiency, you know, administrative updates to 116 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 3: be made to make government entities operate more efficiently. We'll 117 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 3: find if they're you know, some missing receipts or discrepancies 118 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 3: you know, financially speaking, or otherwise. You know, these are 119 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 3: not These are routine audits. We're required to audit state 120 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 3: entities once every three years. We work hard to make 121 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 3: sure that we're helping to make government work better. We're 122 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 3: not the FBI, you know, but they're treating us as 123 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 3: though we're coming in and trying to confiscate their cell 124 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 3: phones or something, you know, Respectfully, I don't want to 125 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 3: see their text messages, not under my purview. You know, 126 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 3: so I I am looking to get access to the 127 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 3: financial statements, the financial documents, the receipts, the contracts and 128 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 3: such to be able to produce the report to tell 129 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 3: tax payers what's going on behind those closed doors with 130 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 3: their taxpayer funds. But you would think that this was 131 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 3: an awful scandalous action. And you know, for anybody to 132 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 3: think that, I mean, and be so afraid of an audit, 133 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 3: you do have to wonder what are they hiding because 134 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 3: other entities take these audits, and yes, they can be 135 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 3: annoying for these date entities. Certainly, we don't have agencies 136 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 3: taking out pom poms when the auditors come in and 137 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 3: going yay, we're so excited we get to be audited. 138 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 3: You know, that's not what happens. People do, you know, 139 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 3: get annoyed with the process because it does uncover areas 140 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 3: where improvements are needed, and it can be tough for 141 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 3: anyone who's a human being to take constructive feedback and 142 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 3: have to fix things right. But it's not generally speaking, 143 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,959 Speaker 3: that big of a deal. It's a matter of routine. 144 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 3: People know, it's part of doing business. If you're going 145 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 3: to run you know, a state entity, and that's it, 146 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 3: and people move forward. They make the improvements, and everybody's 147 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 3: able to move forward. Generally speaking, at the legislature, it's terrified. 148 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 3: They're terrified of opening up their books, Dan, and people 149 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 3: ask to wonder, why, why are they under why? 150 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:23,439 Speaker 2: I can just imagine that if some citizen in Massachusetts 151 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 2: received the letter from the I R S that the 152 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 2: IRS intended to audit them. I kind of imagined that 153 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: they would have the ability to say, of the Irs, 154 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 2: oh no, you're not going to audit me, because I'm 155 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: a citizen of the co of the Massachusetts anymore than 156 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 2: the Speaker or the or the Senate President. Listen to this. 157 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 2: I know that you're traveling in a car. The audio 158 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 2: is really good. You were out speaking tonight, I believe 159 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 2: in western Massachusetts. Yeah, you're working very hard on behalf 160 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: of your your kidstituents, everyone in Massachusetts. I assume that 161 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 2: the twenty eight percent of the people who voted against 162 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:06,640 Speaker 2: the audit of the legislature either are members of the legislature, 163 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 2: work for the legislature, or related to people who either 164 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 2: are members or work for the legislature. Uh, let's get 165 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 2: phone calls. I'm going to take a break, give you 166 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 2: a chance to catch your breath. Thanks for being with us. 167 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 2: I hope that the audio was as good on your 168 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 2: end as it is in ours. And let's go to 169 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 2: phone calls. And I want to ask my audience, do 170 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:33,560 Speaker 2: you or do you not support State Auditor Disauglio in 171 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 2: her efforts to audit the legislature here in Massachusetts as 172 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 2: the voters approved and the voters ordered last election with 173 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 2: a ballot question number one six, one seven, two, five, 174 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 2: four ten thirty six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. 175 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 2: If you feel that the legislature is right and they 176 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 2: shouldn't be audited, you can call, or you don't have 177 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 2: to call. I want to hear from people who feel 178 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 2: that this state auditor is doing the right thing, simply 179 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:10,440 Speaker 2: looking to do her job, and she is facing absolute 180 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 2: stonewalling by the state legislature. Will be back on nightside 181 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 2: the state legislative leadership, because most of the state legislators 182 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: probably they don't mind, they wouldn't mind an audit, but 183 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:24,839 Speaker 2: they don't dare speak out, they don't dare get out 184 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 2: of line, because that's not the way the legislature works 185 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 2: in Massachusetts. Uh. And by the way, the state Auditor 186 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,680 Speaker 2: was a member of both the House and the Senate, 187 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 2: as she has risen through the political ranks here in Massachusetts, 188 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:42,439 Speaker 2: so she understands the system as well as anyone six, one, seven, two, five, four, 189 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,679 Speaker 2: ten thirty six, one, seven, nine, three, one, ten thirty. 190 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 2: And if this doesn't upset you as a as a 191 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 2: voter and as a taxpayer of Massachusetts, then nothing will 192 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 2: just roll over and play dead. Coming back on Nightside. 193 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 1: It's Nightside with Dan Ray on Way Boston's news radio. 194 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 2: We're talking with Massachusettstate Auditor Dianato Zauglio. Let me ask 195 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 2: you one final question from me, and then we'll go 196 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:11,839 Speaker 2: to phone calls. And if you don't want to answer 197 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:15,559 Speaker 2: this question, that's fine. Have any members of the legislature 198 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 2: without identifying them, come to you quietly and said, you 199 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 2: know what, Auditor, I wish I could support you on 200 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 2: this because you're right, but I can't step out of 201 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 2: line from the leadership. Have you had. 202 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 3: A real percent Yeah? Yeah, absolutely. Look, look and here's 203 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 3: what I'll say. You you hit the nail on head. 204 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 3: You said, you know, Look, she she served in the legislature. 205 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 3: She knows what's going on up there. I look, I 206 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 3: was a state representative for six years. I was a 207 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:47,439 Speaker 3: state senator for four years. Yes, I was known during 208 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 3: that entire time period for bucking my party's leadership quite often, 209 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 3: because frankly, they rule with an iron fist up there 210 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 3: and it's their way or the highway. And once I 211 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 3: figured that out, I said, well, you know, I'm a 212 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 3: Merrimac Valley girl over here, so we get loud. And 213 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 3: you know, that was that. And my district wanted me 214 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 3: to be loud for them, and they wanted me to 215 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 3: fight for them, and that's what I did. But certainly, 216 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 3: you know, even when you're you're taking on the leadership 217 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 3: like that, you know you are serving and working with 218 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 3: a lot of really great human beings who are doing 219 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,560 Speaker 3: their best to do their jobs, but are themselves and 220 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 3: we use the word terrified about the audit. You know, 221 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 3: they're they're terrified about what their leadership is going to 222 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 3: do to retaliate against them. Take away their stipend, take 223 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 3: away their office, take away their staff, and not just 224 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 3: punish them Dan, but the speacreins and a president punish 225 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 3: people's communities when legislators step out of line. So if 226 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 3: for example, a state repper, state senator does something that 227 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 3: you know, ticks off the Senate president or speaker enough, 228 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 3: like supporting this audit, for example, they will retaliate against 229 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 3: not just that legislator, they will go after their funding 230 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 3: priorities for their communities. So if they're trying to get 231 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,560 Speaker 3: funding for community center, a youth center, a senior center, 232 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 3: a firetruck, you know, just I'm just naming like different 233 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:18,760 Speaker 3: things that they could be trying to get funding for 234 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 3: for their communities. The secrets and a president are going 235 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 3: to turn a blind and eye to that community and 236 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 3: disregard that entire community just because the legislator has a 237 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 3: different opinion than they do on an issue such as this. 238 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 3: So I do often have state reps and state senators 239 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 3: coming to me privately and saying, of course they're supportive, 240 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 3: you know, and then saying to me, but you understand, 241 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 3: you know how it is we're going to be retaliated against. 242 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 3: They're basically like in a hostage situation up there. You know, 243 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:55,120 Speaker 3: It's it's terrible. Now. Now, look, there are legislators who 244 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 3: feel like they're in a hostage situation. But then there 245 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 3: are legislators who you know, have like Stockholm syndrome where 246 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 3: you know, they've absolutely just gotten to the point where 247 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 3: they've been there so long and they're like, you know what, 248 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 3: they're like, you know, I'm just gonna I'm just gonna 249 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 3: drink the kool aid willingly at this point and just 250 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 3: along to get along with this a speaker amount of 251 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 3: president because it's not that bad, you know. Yeah, sure 252 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 3: they have to sell out on every vote. They can't 253 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 3: stand up and share their opinion about anything, but you know, 254 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 3: it's not that bad, and it's actually really great up there. 255 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 3: And now defend the speaker and Senate president. Even if 256 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 3: they're getting screwed over, so to speak, in terms of 257 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 3: what they're getting in the budget or what they're getting 258 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 3: for legislation getting passed, they'll still defend the secrets and 259 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 3: a president because it's easier. 260 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 2: So well that you've just described the Stockholm syndrome perfectly. 261 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 2: When people are held hostage, sometimes they they identify. Obviously 262 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 2: they get brainwashed by their captors. But that's what the 263 00:15:56,040 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 2: Stockholm syndrome is. Syndrome is, and the idea of going along, 264 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 2: you know, to get along some of them. Probably you're saying, gee, 265 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 2: if I can hang in here, someday I might be 266 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:11,760 Speaker 2: in leadership. Who knows, maybe I'll be uh, I'll hold 267 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 2: the gavel. 268 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 3: You have people who are in there and they have 269 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 3: been treated so poorly, so unbelievably badly. They tell me 270 00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 3: about the bullying, the shaming that they go through, how 271 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 3: awful the leadership came and treated them. But then they'll 272 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 3: come to me and say, well, you know, I can't 273 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 3: vote off because no, I might be up for a 274 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 3: vice share soon and I don't want to mess that up. 275 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 3: And I look at them and I go, you're never 276 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 3: going to move up in that building because you're not 277 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 3: at heart a sellout. And they can smell it on you. 278 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 3: You know, like a lot of these people they want 279 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 3: to be successful so that they can be successful, but 280 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 3: so their districts can be successful as well, but they're 281 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 3: not so and you know, look at the leadership team 282 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 3: can tell you know, it's it's it's they can tell 283 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,440 Speaker 3: if they're going to, you know, do every single thing 284 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 3: they want, if they're going to be henchmen or hunch 285 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 3: women or not. And so you have this system where 286 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 3: it's kind of crazy. But you know, some people do 287 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 3: learn to love their captors in there, and they praise 288 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 3: the sequence Senate President for the abuse that is inflicted 289 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:28,919 Speaker 3: on them essentially, which is you know, really crazy. But 290 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 3: then you have other people who essentially think that there's 291 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 3: hope that they'll eventually maybe get a championship one day, 292 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 3: and yet you know, they're really getting like twenty thousand 293 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 3: dollars in the budget and NEVI get a bill passed. 294 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:45,880 Speaker 3: You know, it's been six years, ten years, and they're 295 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 3: still holding out hope. You know, I feel bad for 296 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 3: those folks who are looking at that and thinking that someday, 297 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 3: you know, their district is going to be treated with 298 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 3: respect and they're going to be treated with respect. But 299 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 3: it does happen, Dan, And you know, again a lot 300 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:05,119 Speaker 3: of these people are good people who are just you know, 301 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 3: scared of retaliation. But then you know some of them 302 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 3: actually want to become part of the bullying themselves, and 303 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 3: you just have to figure out who's who by your 304 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 3: interactions with them. 305 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 2: And they need more. Diana and Dezaglios in both parties 306 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 2: up there, both Democrats and Republicans. It's it affects both parties. Diana, 307 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 2: I hit the newscast, so I got to do the 308 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 2: quick newscast and we come back. I got full lines, 309 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 2: and I want to I want you to hear from 310 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 2: people and I want them to know that they they're 311 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 2: speaking with you directly. Uh and so thanks, thank you 312 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 2: for doing this. I know it's been a long day, 313 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,680 Speaker 2: but God bless you for what you're doing. There's one 314 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 2: person up there, and it is you. Put all the Democrats, 315 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 2: all the Republicans, and if there are any independence aside, 316 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,639 Speaker 2: and you're the one that is truly speaking out on 317 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 2: behalf of the entire citizenry of Massachusetts, particularly the seventy 318 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:01,680 Speaker 2: two percent who voted to authorize you to do your 319 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 2: job and just do a simple audit on the state legislature. 320 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 2: And there has to be something that leadership is trying 321 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 2: to hide back with these the State Auditor, Diana Desauglio. 322 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 2: You've heard her, you've talked, you can talk to her. 323 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,880 Speaker 2: I only have one line open, which is six, one, seven, nine, three, one, 324 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 2: ten thirty. I'll get to as many of you as 325 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 2: possible for the balance of this hour. Coming back on Nightside. 326 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:31,920 Speaker 1: Night Side with Dan Ray. I'm WBZ Boston's News Radio. 327 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 2: My guest is the State Order of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 328 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:38,879 Speaker 2: Diana Desauglio. For those who you, those of you who 329 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:43,040 Speaker 2: are interested. Diana Desauglio is a Democrat. She was a 330 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:46,439 Speaker 2: Democrat in the House of Representatives Democrat and the State Senate, 331 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 2: and she is one of the six constitutional officers in Massachusetts. 332 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 2: And she is fighting against the entire bureaucracy, the political bureaucracy, 333 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:01,119 Speaker 2: the POLP bureau, if you will, o polit bureau up 334 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:04,879 Speaker 2: at the State House of Massachusetts, the state Legislature, the 335 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 2: House and Senate. Let's go to the call is going 336 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 2: to go to Bob and Cambridge. Bob, I appreciate your patience. 337 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 2: You were first this hour with the state ordered Diana Desagbia. 338 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 5: Go right ahead, Bob, Rob, Hello, Hello, Dan, Hello Diana. 339 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 5: I want to tell you that this order in situation 340 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 5: that Diana has caught up and in doing very well with, 341 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 5: is one big sham. The sham is the old boy 342 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 5: network up on the hill. And the person that should 343 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 5: be reprimanded or censured here is the top waity car 344 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 5: from not sticking her nose and then trying out. 345 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:46,199 Speaker 2: Why well, Diana, the top police officer in the com 346 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 2: wealth is the Attorney General. And I think that Rob 347 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 2: has identified at least part of the problem. 348 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:56,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, look, a lot of folks. Sorry, Bob, 349 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 3: do you want to say some the gun. 350 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,400 Speaker 5: Yeah, it's getting little old, you know what I mean, 351 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:03,880 Speaker 5: it's got something's got to be done. It's getting too old. 352 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:06,959 Speaker 2: No, no, really, no, one's fighting hard and good. Diana 353 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 2: disaugly mad a monitor. You want to comment on his 354 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 2: reference to the Attorney general who announced reelect her effort 355 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 2: for reelection today. 356 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 3: Yeah, and look, I understand your frustration. I you know, 357 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,919 Speaker 3: I would be remiss not to say that many times 358 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 3: I just did feel like throwing in the towel with 359 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:33,120 Speaker 3: this because it is a circus up there, and you know, 360 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 3: it is non stop, uh, just gamesmanship with a lot 361 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:43,400 Speaker 3: of these folks. And they're all friends, right, so they're 362 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:47,119 Speaker 3: talking behind the scenes, they're working together to break the law. 363 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 3: It's not okay. The Attorney General needs to do her job. 364 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 3: She refuses to do it, you know, and deflects to 365 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 3: what's happening at the federal level every time she's you know, 366 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:58,640 Speaker 3: spoken to about this. You know, there is a job 367 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 3: to be done at the federal level for or I 368 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 3: think we all can recognize that. But there's also a 369 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:07,960 Speaker 3: job to do here in Massachusetts. You know, we need 370 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:11,399 Speaker 3: the law to be enforced here in our home state, 371 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 3: and we need our politicians to follow the law, and 372 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 3: that's not too much to ask. So we're trying to 373 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 3: get access to court. We are going to continue to 374 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 3: push for this, and we're suing, by the way, Bob, 375 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:24,959 Speaker 3: we are suing. We have our own attorney that we 376 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,680 Speaker 3: have secured at no cost to the taxpayer, and we 377 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 3: are trying to get access to the court. The Attorney 378 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:33,359 Speaker 3: General is fighting us every step of the way and 379 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 3: saying that she's going to seek to get this dismissed 380 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:38,440 Speaker 3: from court. But we're trying to get access to court 381 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 3: despite her fighting against us, and we hope that when 382 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 3: we do get access to court, that a judge will 383 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 3: side with the people of the commonwealth and not the politicians. 384 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:50,920 Speaker 2: And by the way, I have a list of names 385 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:55,880 Speaker 2: of my listeners who have volunteered to join a class 386 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:59,439 Speaker 2: action lawsuit if one is filed, or if there is 387 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 2: and attorney out there who's willing to entertain such a filing. 388 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:09,160 Speaker 2: Because the will of seventy two percent seventy one point 389 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:12,640 Speaker 2: six percent of the voters in the Cornwalth of Massachusetts 390 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,919 Speaker 2: is not only being ignored but it's being rebuffed by 391 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:22,760 Speaker 2: the legislative leadership, the Speaker Mariano and the Senate President Spoker. 392 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 2: And by the way, it would be interesting if either 393 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:31,439 Speaker 2: of these individuals either lost reelection that would send a 394 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 2: message through the Commonwealth that would be the days of 395 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:40,399 Speaker 2: the old Boys or the Old Girls network should be over. Bob. 396 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:42,119 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, Rob, thank you for your call. 397 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:43,239 Speaker 2: Appreciate it very very much. 398 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:47,640 Speaker 4: Bob, good night, good night. Let me keep rolling again. 399 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,880 Speaker 2: Going to go to Ronnie in Plymouth. Ronnie, you are 400 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:53,840 Speaker 2: next on nightside with State Auditor Diana Dezaglio. 401 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 4: Yes, greeting. I know within your office, the Auditor's office, 402 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 4: you have an investing if you're a correct Diana, we 403 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:04,399 Speaker 4: have a Bureau. 404 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:09,440 Speaker 3: Of Special Investigations that does look into individual fraud circumstances 405 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 3: for people potentially abusing snap benefits, CVT cards, mass health 406 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 3: and that sort of thing. 407 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 4: Why can't you recruit the help of the Inspected General 408 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:24,439 Speaker 4: in maybe the Revenue Department instat looking into some of 409 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:29,400 Speaker 4: these people some of their personal business, look at their 410 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:30,199 Speaker 4: tax return. 411 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 2: That that well, that's beyond discovering her authority. 412 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 4: I believe that That's why I'm asking her if you 413 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:41,679 Speaker 4: can recruit the Inspected General in the Revenue Department to 414 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:42,560 Speaker 4: assist her in this. 415 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you so much for the thanks so much 416 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 3: for the great question, and Dan, I got it. Thank 417 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:51,439 Speaker 3: you so much, Ronnie. So what the issue is is 418 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 3: that you are correct. So my office cannot do that 419 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:57,680 Speaker 3: sort of thing. We can't access people's personal tax returns. 420 00:24:57,720 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 3: We don't have that type of authority. And we also 421 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 3: don't have of criminal investigatory authorities. So I'm glad that 422 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:06,639 Speaker 3: we're talking about the word investigation because I think a 423 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:09,920 Speaker 3: lot of people, you know, they'll they'll hear the word auditor, 424 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:12,119 Speaker 3: and when they think of audits, they might think, you 425 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,159 Speaker 3: know that it's a little bit more than what it is. 426 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:18,000 Speaker 3: You obviously know that an audit's an audit, right, not 427 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,119 Speaker 3: a not a criminal investigation, and that the Inspector General, 428 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 3: with the Inspector General, is indeed someone who can do 429 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,000 Speaker 3: those types of investigations, and we do work with the 430 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:33,879 Speaker 3: Inspector General. It's my understanding that the Inspector General feels 431 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 3: that their office does not have purview over the legislature, 432 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:41,320 Speaker 3: that it is the Attorney General's office who has purview 433 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:46,719 Speaker 3: over the legislature. To conduct those types of investigations. And unfortunately, 434 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 3: we're back to square one when it comes to that 435 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 3: because I am trying to recruit the Attorney General because 436 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 3: she does have that type of authority that the Inspector 437 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,960 Speaker 3: General says that they don't have. There that the Attorney 438 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 3: General's refusing. So it's a Fortunately we're back to square one, 439 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:05,439 Speaker 3: but totally hard. And look, if there's any work that 440 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:08,320 Speaker 3: we can do with the Instructor General, certainly we'll we'll 441 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 3: look into that and see what can be done. 442 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:18,440 Speaker 2: Thank you, ran, great question, appreciate you call six. Let 443 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:20,920 Speaker 2: me get one more in here before we got to 444 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:22,560 Speaker 2: go to the break. I'm going to go to uh, 445 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:25,639 Speaker 2: Peter uh in West Roxby. Pete, you're next on night 446 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,160 Speaker 2: side with the State of Artith the Cormwalth of Massachusetts. 447 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:29,919 Speaker 2: Diana des Ogle, go right ahead, Pete. 448 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 6: How you doing both? 449 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:32,159 Speaker 4: Push? 450 00:26:33,119 --> 00:26:35,160 Speaker 6: I have a question, why don't you run for higher 451 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:36,719 Speaker 6: office against the Attorney General? 452 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:38,840 Speaker 2: Well, first, you'd. 453 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 4: Be able to do this. 454 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 2: First of all, she is a constitutional officer. Uh, and uh, 455 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 2: she she has run statewide. Pete. You know she could 456 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:51,399 Speaker 2: run I guess for governor if she wanted to. But 457 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 2: at the same time, that's not what. 458 00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 6: I think that would be to be able to stop 459 00:26:57,720 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 6: the audit right into a higher position. 460 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:06,960 Speaker 2: Well, well, I think it. I think what you're proposing 461 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 2: is a don Quyxote sort of run. If it then 462 00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:16,160 Speaker 2: would be perceived as a personal grievance, and it's not 463 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:19,399 Speaker 2: a personal grievance that the state ordered it has she 464 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:23,680 Speaker 2: has behind her a vote of seventy one point six 465 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:27,200 Speaker 2: seventy degree okay, and for her for. 466 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:29,600 Speaker 3: Her to surrender the. 467 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 2: Auditor, Madam honored, I'll let you in here, but I 468 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:35,439 Speaker 2: just want to defend you a little bit here. It 469 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 2: is not up to her to literally run against the 470 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:42,439 Speaker 2: Attorney general or the governor. She is doing everything she 471 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:45,920 Speaker 2: possibly can in the position to which she was elected. 472 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 2: For her to abandon that post would be a fool's errand, 473 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:55,280 Speaker 2: and Diana des Ugly is no one's fool. Go ahead, and. 474 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:58,640 Speaker 3: Thanks so much. And Pete, Pete, great question. Thank you 475 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 3: for calling in. I think that you know it's important 476 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,679 Speaker 3: to say I'm not an attorney and that's why I 477 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:10,600 Speaker 3: didn't run for attorney general. You do, you know it's 478 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 3: important to make sure we have a strong attorney in 479 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:17,360 Speaker 3: the role of attorney general. I don't have legal training 480 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 3: in that capacity to be able to you know, sue 481 00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 3: different entities and all of that. I ran for State 482 00:28:26,040 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 3: Auditor because this is the role where I could utilize 483 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:34,520 Speaker 3: my experience working on the state budget as a legislator 484 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,159 Speaker 3: previously and really understanding the ends and outs of that 485 00:28:37,240 --> 00:28:42,400 Speaker 3: state budget process and that legislative process to look at 486 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:45,280 Speaker 3: the policies and the procedures and some of those financial 487 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 3: components in different state agencies and departments. And you know, 488 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 3: after serving ten years as a legislator working on that 489 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:56,280 Speaker 3: state budget, running for state auditor was the place where 490 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 3: I thought that I could make a bigger difference with 491 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 3: a greater play platform on a lot of the issues 492 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 3: that I've been working on previously. And that's you know 493 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:07,120 Speaker 3: what I'm doing right now. But I would not run 494 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:10,600 Speaker 3: for attorney general. I am not an attorney uh And 495 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:12,520 Speaker 3: I do think it's important that we have someone in 496 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 3: there who do who does you know, have that skill set. 497 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:19,560 Speaker 3: But thank you for Paul, And yes, Diana. 498 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 6: Are you afraid that they'll primary you because you're not 499 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 6: playing ball with them? 500 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, look, I totally hear you, and that's 501 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:38,719 Speaker 3: totally again, you know, yes, I got it. I appreciate it. 502 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 3: I look, they can do whatever they want, right, but 503 00:29:42,840 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 3: the people have spoken, and I trust that the people 504 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 3: of the Commonwealth, you know, have the backs of the 505 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 3: people who are working hard to serve them in the 506 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:58,479 Speaker 3: right way and who are making the right decisions. And 507 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 3: you know, look, they is a They ran very hard 508 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 3: against me when I ran for this seat. They endorsed 509 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:10,520 Speaker 3: against me, the Senate president through a rally on the 510 00:30:10,520 --> 00:30:14,000 Speaker 3: stairs of the State House for my primary opponent. You know, 511 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,960 Speaker 3: while I was the youngest woman serving in the state Senate, 512 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:20,480 Speaker 3: my Senate president through a rally and got all the 513 00:30:20,520 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 3: women in the legislature to rally against me to try 514 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:27,760 Speaker 3: to to try to ensure that I didn't win this election. 515 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:31,000 Speaker 3: But you, the voters, you made your decision. You knew 516 00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 3: who you wanted is your state auditor. And you know, 517 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:38,200 Speaker 3: I'm not afraid of these folks. And I know a 518 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:41,160 Speaker 3: lot of people are afraid of the Senate President. They're 519 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:44,840 Speaker 3: afraid of the speaker. Frankly, I think they need to 520 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 3: be afraid of you, the voters right now. I think 521 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:49,880 Speaker 3: that they should be the ones who are put on 522 00:30:49,920 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 3: the defense for breaking the law, and that we just 523 00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 3: need to keep not shrinking back and showing them that 524 00:30:57,920 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 3: we have courage, that we're not afraid of them, and 525 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 3: then we're going to stand up for what's right even 526 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:05,560 Speaker 3: if they retaliate. And if they want to retaliate, let them, 527 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:06,960 Speaker 3: We're gonna let me. 528 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 2: Let me jump in for one second. Pete, I want 529 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:12,920 Speaker 2: to challenge you, and here's what my challenge to you is. 530 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 2: You should find out who your state senator is and 531 00:31:15,880 --> 00:31:19,000 Speaker 2: who your state representative is. You should call them and 532 00:31:19,080 --> 00:31:24,400 Speaker 2: tell them that unless this audit of the legislature occurs 533 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:28,600 Speaker 2: under the direction of the Auditor Diana Desaglio, you will 534 00:31:28,640 --> 00:31:32,200 Speaker 2: find and never vote for them again. And if enough 535 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:35,560 Speaker 2: people tell the legislators they will never vote for them 536 00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:38,960 Speaker 2: again until this audit is allowed, that will do more 537 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:42,640 Speaker 2: than anything else to allow this audit to go forward. 538 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:46,440 Speaker 2: That's the challenge for each and every citizen in Massachusetts. 539 00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:48,880 Speaker 2: You voted, you told them what you wanted, and now 540 00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 2: they're spitting in your face. Pete, I got a run 541 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:53,080 Speaker 2: cos I'm white past my break. But I thank you 542 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:53,600 Speaker 2: for your call. 543 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:58,840 Speaker 6: Okay, dam yeah, yes, go ahead, I. 544 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:01,040 Speaker 2: Am here, Yes, I don't cut people off. 545 00:32:01,040 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 4: Go ahead, Okay. 546 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 6: The problem with that is west Roxbury. It's it's the 547 00:32:07,200 --> 00:32:10,880 Speaker 6: conservative west Roxbury is no longer and they don't care 548 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:14,240 Speaker 6: at what we think. The bike lanes was a perfect 549 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:15,000 Speaker 6: example of that. 550 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 2: All you have to Yeah, Pete, I agree with you. 551 00:32:18,040 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 2: I had a conversation about that today with someone from 552 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:24,360 Speaker 2: West Roxbury. But do your part, do your part. You 553 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:27,000 Speaker 2: voted for the audience, do your part. Thanks Pete. I 554 00:32:27,040 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 2: got to run, I got other calls and I got 555 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:32,280 Speaker 2: a break coming up. Here's a break back. Yes, yes, Diana, 556 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:32,719 Speaker 2: go ahead. 557 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:34,720 Speaker 3: Do you have a moment for me to just say 558 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:35,680 Speaker 3: what somebody can do? 559 00:32:35,760 --> 00:32:37,760 Speaker 6: Because yes, yes, pe. 560 00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:41,080 Speaker 3: If look if people feel and thank you Pete for 561 00:32:41,160 --> 00:32:43,200 Speaker 3: just raising your concerns that you don't feel like your 562 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 3: voice is being hard. I don't blame you for feeling 563 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:48,640 Speaker 3: like your voice is not being hard because we have 564 00:32:48,720 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 3: seventy two percent of the Commonwealth being told that their 565 00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:56,360 Speaker 3: vote doesn't matter right now by overly powerful politicians who 566 00:32:56,400 --> 00:33:00,680 Speaker 3: think that you don't count. And that's not okaycount. And 567 00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:02,640 Speaker 3: here's another way you can let your voice be heard. 568 00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:06,120 Speaker 3: We're going to keep coming at them with everything we have. 569 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:08,760 Speaker 3: If they want to ignore a balid question, we're going 570 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:11,000 Speaker 3: to pass another one. If they want to ignore that 571 00:33:11,080 --> 00:33:13,040 Speaker 3: we're going to pass another one, We're going to keep 572 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:16,120 Speaker 3: coming at them until they do what they're supposed to do. 573 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:18,840 Speaker 3: We just can't give up. And what I'm asking people 574 00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:23,320 Speaker 3: to do is to consider please supporting the next ballot 575 00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:26,440 Speaker 3: question that I am running right now, which is a 576 00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:29,280 Speaker 3: balid question to subject the State House to the state's 577 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:32,840 Speaker 3: public records law, the Freedom of Information Act, which would 578 00:33:32,840 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 3: require that all those documents that I've been asking for 579 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:39,640 Speaker 3: in order to conduct this audit, those records would just 580 00:33:39,680 --> 00:33:43,920 Speaker 3: be made available to every single resident of Massachusetts who 581 00:33:43,960 --> 00:33:46,640 Speaker 3: wants to get access to them. Cities and towns have 582 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 3: to follow the public records law. My office follows the 583 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:52,280 Speaker 3: public records law. This is just a matter of good government. 584 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:55,760 Speaker 3: And again again, like I said at the beginning, Massachusetts 585 00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:58,560 Speaker 3: is the only state in the nation in which the legislature, 586 00:33:58,640 --> 00:34:02,560 Speaker 3: governor's office, and judiciary all exempt themselves from having to 587 00:34:02,640 --> 00:34:06,080 Speaker 3: follow this public records law. So if we pass this 588 00:34:06,200 --> 00:34:09,600 Speaker 3: ballot initiative, I need one hundred thousand signatures to get 589 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:13,040 Speaker 3: this issue on the ballot. If we pass this ballot initiative, 590 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:15,839 Speaker 3: sign at the grocery stores and you see people collecting signatures, 591 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:20,080 Speaker 3: then we will pass a law that subjects them to 592 00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:23,080 Speaker 3: the public records law. And they might be telling me 593 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:26,239 Speaker 3: no right now and saying no, no, auditor, we're not 594 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:28,560 Speaker 3: going to let you get access to the documents, but 595 00:34:28,640 --> 00:34:32,000 Speaker 3: they're not going to tell every resident of the Commonwealth 596 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:35,279 Speaker 3: that you don't get access to the documents. So this 597 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:38,319 Speaker 3: is one way that we can make the government more transparent. 598 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:41,560 Speaker 3: I need you to support on this, and we will. 599 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:42,680 Speaker 2: Help you on that as well. We've got to take 600 00:34:42,680 --> 00:34:44,400 Speaker 2: a quick break. I'm going to get to more calls 601 00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:49,080 Speaker 2: for Massachusetts State Auditor Diana Dizaglio. Right after this. 602 00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:54,560 Speaker 1: You're on night Side with Dan Ray on WBS Boston's 603 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:55,240 Speaker 1: news radio. 604 00:34:55,880 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 2: We will carry this into the next hour, I promise, 605 00:34:58,719 --> 00:35:00,719 Speaker 2: but we're going to try to get one call in 606 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:04,000 Speaker 2: from Gloria in Salem. Gloria, welcome. You're at the State 607 00:35:04,040 --> 00:35:06,799 Speaker 2: Auditor Diana Dezaglio. Go ahead, Gloria, Hi. 608 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:14,239 Speaker 7: This this statement is directed directed at Madame Auditor. I 609 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:18,520 Speaker 7: spent and ironically I did not realize that the ag 610 00:35:19,120 --> 00:35:22,360 Speaker 7: was had made a statement that she was running again 611 00:35:22,440 --> 00:35:28,760 Speaker 7: this year. I spent literally from nine o'clock this morning 612 00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:33,400 Speaker 7: to four o'clock this afternoon on the phones with the 613 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:35,879 Speaker 7: AG's office. You're not going to get any help from 614 00:35:35,880 --> 00:35:40,840 Speaker 7: those people. I made something like twelve different calls. Nobody 615 00:35:41,040 --> 00:35:46,920 Speaker 7: understood provider insurance fraud, and I was trying to make. 616 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:51,200 Speaker 5: Make a whatever. 617 00:35:51,880 --> 00:35:54,280 Speaker 2: Well that's a different that's a different issue. What you're saying. 618 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:56,600 Speaker 2: It's a group of people who are not interested in 619 00:35:57,160 --> 00:35:59,120 Speaker 2: doing much for anyone exactly. 620 00:35:59,239 --> 00:36:03,919 Speaker 7: And I heard Madam Order say that she was having 621 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:08,160 Speaker 7: trouble with d AG's office. I understand it's a completely 622 00:36:08,160 --> 00:36:10,759 Speaker 7: different issue. But she's going to get any help. 623 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:13,920 Speaker 2: Okay, Well that's fine, that's fine. She knows that. So 624 00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:17,759 Speaker 2: thank you for underscoring the obvious. But unfortunately, Gloria, I 625 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:19,719 Speaker 2: am flat out a time. This hour is so nat 626 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:22,200 Speaker 2: I got to let you run. Please call more often. Okay, 627 00:36:22,320 --> 00:36:27,360 Speaker 2: thank you. It just released my eight hours of frustration. 628 00:36:27,520 --> 00:36:31,960 Speaker 2: If I can relieve your frustration, I've done something today, 629 00:36:32,440 --> 00:36:34,439 Speaker 2: all right, all right, Diana, how can you say? 630 00:36:34,560 --> 00:36:37,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, Maria, thank you so much for calling, and just 631 00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:41,560 Speaker 3: to let me know that you share my pain in 632 00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:46,239 Speaker 3: trying to get access to some services. Right now, I'm 633 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:49,680 Speaker 3: sorry about your experience, you know, and I just want 634 00:36:49,719 --> 00:36:52,440 Speaker 3: to say, uh, just I wish you well and getting 635 00:36:52,480 --> 00:36:55,239 Speaker 3: in touch. I've been trying to get some help. I 636 00:36:55,239 --> 00:36:58,239 Speaker 3: cannot get some help either. So we're in the same 637 00:36:58,239 --> 00:37:00,360 Speaker 3: boat right now, unfortunately. But thanks. 638 00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:03,200 Speaker 2: How can people help you? How can people get in 639 00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:06,440 Speaker 2: touch with you in any way, shape or form. We 640 00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:09,200 Speaker 2: have less than about thirty seconds left and I really 641 00:37:09,280 --> 00:37:11,440 Speaker 2: appreciate your time, particularly at the end of the y. 642 00:37:11,520 --> 00:37:15,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, please please go to Diana form A dot com 643 00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:17,759 Speaker 3: d A A n A f O R m A 644 00:37:17,920 --> 00:37:22,040 Speaker 3: dot com. There's a little area somewhere on the web 645 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:25,760 Speaker 3: page where you can just do a contact to contact 646 00:37:25,880 --> 00:37:27,880 Speaker 3: me and submit that and let me know if you 647 00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:30,640 Speaker 3: want some signature sheets or something like that to help 648 00:37:30,719 --> 00:37:33,600 Speaker 3: us with this ballot question. Dan, that's I am moving 649 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:36,239 Speaker 3: onto this ballot question for right now because we have 650 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:40,040 Speaker 3: until November seventeenth to get one on to get seventy 651 00:37:40,080 --> 00:37:43,440 Speaker 3: five thousand signatures in to the city Clerk's office to 652 00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:45,960 Speaker 3: get the issue of subjecting to data to the pull 653 00:37:46,080 --> 00:37:48,799 Speaker 3: up records law on the ballot. So we need to 654 00:37:48,880 --> 00:37:50,680 Speaker 3: get to work and keep focused on hekay. 655 00:37:50,840 --> 00:37:53,200 Speaker 2: Give me the give me the email at the address 656 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:54,640 Speaker 2: the website one more time. 657 00:37:55,760 --> 00:37:58,480 Speaker 3: Okay, it's Diana form a dot com, d A A 658 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:02,600 Speaker 3: n A fo R dot com and just shot me 659 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:05,600 Speaker 3: a quick message or shoot me an email, you know, 660 00:38:05,719 --> 00:38:07,239 Speaker 3: find a way to shoot me an email and I 661 00:38:07,239 --> 00:38:09,040 Speaker 3: can get you some signature sheets and tell you how 662 00:38:09,080 --> 00:38:09,879 Speaker 3: to get involved. Thanks. 663 00:38:09,880 --> 00:38:12,320 Speaker 2: All right, and what's the deadline of the signatures? 664 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:17,760 Speaker 3: November seventeenth to the city clerks and town clerk soccer Perfect? 665 00:38:17,760 --> 00:38:20,640 Speaker 2: Okay, Diana, thank you so much for tonight. As always, 666 00:38:21,360 --> 00:38:23,680 Speaker 2: we will support you in whatever you're trying to do 667 00:38:23,719 --> 00:38:28,080 Speaker 2: here because you're on the side of of you really 668 00:38:28,120 --> 00:38:29,120 Speaker 2: are on the side of transparent. 669 00:38:29,200 --> 00:38:32,120 Speaker 3: I'm on the people side, on the people side, no doubt. 670 00:38:32,200 --> 00:38:35,160 Speaker 3: We work hard for our tax dollars. We just want 671 00:38:35,200 --> 00:38:36,799 Speaker 3: to know how they're being spent. Thanks so much. 672 00:38:36,840 --> 00:38:38,799 Speaker 2: Thanks Diana, Thank you so much for those of you, 673 00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:41,719 Speaker 2: the lines stay there. I want to continue this conversation 674 00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:43,560 Speaker 2: back after the ten o'clock New