Transparency in government is the cornerstone of a strong democracy. Government transparency checks corruption, promotes fiscal responsibility and efficiency, and allows for greater, more meaningful participation in our democratic system.

Massachusetts is in the minority of states that doesn’t require representatives’ votes taken in committee to be made public. Bold action and forceful law-making requires robust transparency, which we don’t have. We need rules that allow us to hold our representatives accountable.

Tell them that these house rules need to change, starting NOW.

Massachusetts needs transparency!  – Right now, bills die in committee & we don’t know why! It is vital that committee votes be public.  There’s no public record of how our Reps are voting! We must hold elected officials accountable & so they move bills through committee and not just give us lip service.

Act on Mass – Voters Deserve To Know – State House Transparency Pledge

MA Climate Democracy – Transparent voting for State Reps in Committee

COMMON CAUSE MASSACHUSETTS – Open Government

VIDEOS

NEWS

01/19/21 – Boston Globe Editorial – It’s time lawmakers support an ‘open’ House Rules reforms can cut through the go-along to get-along complacency in a branch dominated by a network of good ol’ boys

03/01/20 – Beacon Hill’s secretive committee voting process

02/12/19 – [Massachusetts] House plays follow the leader

12/19/18 – Ex-lobbyist reveals how the [Massachusetts] House really works

09/12/18 – MASSPIRG TESTIFIES FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT