Massachusetts voters just approved Question 1, making most records held by the Legislature and the Governor’s Office subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

But before Question 1 can even take effect, lawmakers already have legislation sitting in conference committee that could weaken what voters just approved. Essentially, overturning the election results. 

Even before voters passed this question, lawmakers set to work trying to undermine it by passing their own versions of the law. H.5469 and S.3244 would create a completely new and separate public records system for the Legislature. Rather than simply subjecting the Legislature to the existing Public Records Law, we see the House and Senate bills limit disclosure to a defined list of “legislative records” and establish a separate process for challenging records that lawmakers refuse to release.

That distinction matters. Question 1 was intended to bring the Legislature under the same Public Records Law that already applies across much of state and local government. Creating a separate system for lawmakers risks preserving special treatment for Beacon Hill and limiting the transparency voters mandated on election day. 

That is not what voters just approved.

Voters were asked a straightforward question: Should most records held by the Legislature and Governor’s Office be subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law?

They said yes.

The Legislature should not use a lame duck session to substitute its own narrower version of the law voters just approved. Nor should lawmakers use a conference committee to accomplish something that voters rejected at the ballot box.

This is bigger than a disagreement over legislative procedure. It is about whether elected officials will respect a clear decision made directly by Massachusetts voters. Its about a legislature that overturns the election results. 

Beacon Hill should not now rewrite that decision.

Tell your State Representative, State Senator and the Governor to reject any conference committee proposal that weakens, overrides or delays Question 1. Tell the Governor to veto any attempt to undermine the law voters just approved.