Massachusetts Legislature Approval Rises Amid Audit Fight

When you ask folks, as I do, what they think about the goings on on Beacon Hill – affectionately referred to as "Bacon Hill" by some – they generally grouse about a lack of transparency, ethics, taxes, spending and so on. Oh – and there is the audit.

Voter Support for Beacon Hill Remains Strong

The poll, conducted in October 2025, indicates 51 percent approve of the way the Massachusetts Legislature is doing its job, while 34 percent disapprove and 15 percent don't know.

It has been over a year since 72 percent of the Massachusetts voting public approved a statewide ballot question authorizing State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to conduct a thorough audit of the Legislature's books.

Marcus Ferro/Townsquare Media

Audit Push Faces Resistance from Legislative Leaders

So far, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano have ignored the audit demand, and DiZoglio is like the cheese that stands alone, as not one of the other constitutional officers will stand with her to fight for the audit.

Yet 51 percent of voters approve of the job the Massachusetts Legislature is doing.

The approval rating is higher now than it was in February, when lawmakers had a 50 percent approval rating, a 35 percent disapproval rating, and 15 percent were undecided.

A Year After the Audit Vote, Little Progress

A year ago, when voters demanded the audit, they gave lawmakers a 46 percent approval rating, while 37 percent disapproved and 16 percent didn't know. In May of the same year, the approval rating was 51 percent, disapproval 33 percent and unsure 16 percent.

Massachusetts’ Love-Hate Relationship with Beacon Hill

Massachusetts voters appear to have a love/hate (mostly love) relationship with the Legislature. Is it any wonder lawmakers have been able to get away with stonewalling them on the audit?