THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 22, 2024 Page 25 BEACON | FROM PAGE 23 cause of the stance it takes on natural gas,” said Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield), one of only 17 members, all Republicans, who voted against the measure. “This bill wants to put an end to the use of natural gas in our state. Natural gas is not only abundant in the United States, but it is one of the cleanest burning energy sources. Increasing the use of natural gas would help our planet, while not having a detrimental impact on our economy. Unfortunately, this bill is just another nail in the coffi n for using natural gas as an energy source.” “While I and many others in the 5th Barnstable District support alternative energy, my primary responsibility as a state representative is to prioritize the health, safety and best interests of my constituents,” said Rep. Steve Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). “These interests would be significantly undermined by [the bill] because it would dramatically reduce state and local oversight of clean energy projects and the infrastructure to support them. Communities I represent have been directly and negatively aff ected by this infrastructure, and I have been pushing for more state and local oversight of these projects, not less, to protect host communities’ interests. This bill is a step in the wrong direction.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes CHANGE WHO APPOINTS THE FIRM TO AUDIT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (H 5105) House 135-10, approved a new House rule that amends the current process by which the House appoints a private, independent auditing firm to audit the books of the House. Under the current rule 85A, the House business manager hires the company that will do the audit. Under the new rule 85A, the state auditor, currently Diana DiZoglio, would recommend a fi rm to conduct the audit and the business manager would hire that fi rm. Among the House’s 132 Democrats, 123 voted in favor of the new rule and nine did not vote. No Democrat voted against the rule. Among the 24 House Republicans, 11 voted for the new rule, three did not vote and ten voted against it. The one unenrolled member of the House voted for the rule. In November, voters approved Question 1 which created a new state law that would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature. The vote was 71.6 percent in favor to 28.4 percent opposed. The new House rule 85A does not change that law. Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), part of House Speaker Ron Mariano’s leadership team, said the change would ensure “any audit pursuant to the passage of Question 1 will be a professional audit, not a political one.” This remark is an apparent reference to DiZoglio’s many clashes with legislative leaders during and after she served in the House and the Senate. “We haven’t touched the [new] law,” said Mariano. “Let’s make that clear: we have not touched the law. I have no intent to do anything right now, except maybe take a few days off . This has got nothing to do with repealing anything. This is a rules change.” Mariano pitched the change as “an opportunity to acknowledge the 70 percent to 30 percent vote of the electorate.” He continued, “Obviously, [the voters] weren’t happy with the way we were doing things, and we took a look at the way we were doing things. We found we could make a few changes that we think maintains a strong fi - nancial audit while still backboning our argument about the separation of powers.” “As a longtime supporter of legislative transparency, I joined with all House Democrats and many Republicans to strengthen the existing auditing provisions found in House Rule 85A,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). “This has no bearing on the provisions of Question 1, because a House rule and a state law are two diff erent things. It seems clear that separation of powers questions may emerge regarding the new law created by Question 1, and while those questions are being addressed by the judicial process, this vote to strengthen our internal rules will help add to transparency.” Criticism of the new rule was quick. “The House’s actions to ignore the will of the people, who voted overwhelmingly for greater transparency and accountability through Question 1, are profoundly disheartening and absolutely unacceptable,” responded DiZoglio who led the campaign for passage of Question 1. “Should the Senate also seek to similarly stymie our efforts, legislators will possess sole authority to block taxpayers’ access to what any audit examines and show us only what they want us to see – just as they do now. The public would not have the opportunity to see how much taxpayer money is being spent on non-disclosure agreements, nor on state contracts potentially handed out to elected offi cials’ friends.” She continued, “I am pushing the governor and attorney general to support the people in pushing back against the Legislature’s attempt to dismantle Question 1’s power. The law needs to be followed and enforced and we need their help to ensure that occurs. Our recent audit of the Legislature, which they refused to participate in, found they did not follow their own rules, nor submit any fi nancial audits to our offi ce, as required by their rules. Yet another rule, with no teeth, is what BEACON | SEE PAGE 26 If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! 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