Not Altogether Discouraging News

Boston Globe postpones printing of paper for first time in 153 years, due to blizzard

Kruiser's Morning Brief

"The more pity, that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly."

Stephen Kruiser
The Morning Briefing
February 24, 2026
Gavin Newsom Wants Folks to Know He's Down With the Struggle

Kruiser's Morning Brief

"The more pity, that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly."

Stephen Kruiser
The Morning Briefing
February 23, 2026
U-S-A! Yeah, That Was Fun.

Audit the Massachusetts State Legislature

Massachusetts AG representing lawmakers against DiZoglio in audit lawsuit: ‘Insanity’

Andrea Campbell Urges SJC To Toss Diana DiZoglio Lawsuit Seeking To Get Legislature To Comply With Audit

It's a shame DOGE is not available for freelance opportunities
Here lies the rub

Current Law and Legal Dispute: Under current Massachusetts law, the State Auditor does not have statutory authority to audit the legislature without its consent. In November 2023, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued a formal opinion stating that the existing audit statute does not extend to the legislative branch, based on the plain language of the law and historical precedent.

Question 1 and Voter Approval: In November 2024, voters approved Question 1, a ballot initiative that explicitly authorizes the State Auditor to audit the legislature, including its accounts, programs, and activities. This law added a new section to state law granting the auditor access to legislative records, though tax returns are excluded.

Ongoing Legal Conflict: Despite the voter-approved law, legislative leaders—House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka—have refused to comply, arguing that such audits violate separation of powers under the state constitution. The State Auditor, Diana DiZoglio, filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in early 2025 to enforce the audit, but as of February 2026, the dispute remains unresolved and has escalated into a broader constitutional standoff.

Judicial and Constitutional Concerns: Legal experts, including former State Auditor Suzanne Bump and constitutional scholars, have raised concerns that the audit authority could politicize the auditor’s office or overstep constitutional boundaries. Additionally, two state courts have recently refused audit requests from DiZoglio, citing the Attorney General’s opinion and constitutional questions.

In summary, while no law currently authorizes unilateral audits of the legislature, the voter-approved Question 1 seeks to change that, but its enforcement is blocked by constitutional challenges and non-compliance from legislative leadership.

J.J. Sefton's Morning Report

J.J. Sefton
AoSHQ The Morning Report
February 23, 2026

Good Morning

Enjoy your Sunday

Race Point, Provincetown, Massachusetts

Rule 5 Saturday LinkOrama

Miranda Kerr

Bacon Time - Rule Five: A Trip To Hooterville

A View from the Beach - Rule 5 Saturday - Jamie Lee Kendall and Fish Pic Friday

A NOD TO THE GODS - RATED R RANDOMNESS

Evi L. Bloggerlady - Alysa Liu Olympic Gold and Saturday Night Girls With Guns

Ninety Miles From Tyranny - Hot Pick, Girls With Guns, and Morning Mistress,

Whores and Ale - Hump Day Help and Two for Tuesday

The View from Lady Lake - HillBetty Beauty

BARNORAMA - Girls Ready To Turn Any Night Into Pure Chaos.

24 Femmes Per Second - Claudia Cardinale

Daily Timewaster - Witchy Woman

The Hostages - BBF

Woodsterman - Babes ~OR~ Rule 5 Woodsterman Style ~ A and Farm Babes ~OR~ Rule 5 Woodsterman Style ~ B

The Other McCain - Rule 5 Monday: Snow Bunnies

The Pirates Cove - If All You See ... and Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

Wired Right - A Beautiful End to the Day

Sonoran Conservative - Rule 5: Friday

The Right Way - Friday Babe and ... Rule 5 Saturday LinkOrama

J.J. Sefton's Morning Report

J.J. Sefton
AoSHQ The Morning Report
February 20, 2026