Bill Burkhead

🤔Did you know your ballot is apparently just a wish list? Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved Question 1, demanding greater transparency from Beacon Hill. But just days after the election, Senate leadership is already suggesting that respecting the results is optional. When asked by Tim Dunn (@ConsiderMeDunn) of the Boston Herald about implementing Question 1, Senate President Karen Spilka reached for Beacon Hill’s favorite excuse whenever voters demand more transparency: “constitutional concerns.” Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Creem said lawmakers must “consider the wishes of the voters.” Consider? Wishes? Massachusetts voters didn’t make a wish. They voted to change the law. And Beacon Hill doesn’t get to simply “consider” whether it wants to respect the results. We’ve seen this before. In 2024, 72% of voters approved giving the State Auditor the authority to audit the Legislature, yet legislative leaders have continued resisting its implementation. Now, after voters have once again demanded greater transparency, Senate leadership is already talking about what it will consider. The voters have spoken. Their votes are not suggestions, and their decisions are not a wish list for Beacon Hill to pick and choose from.