Ballot Question 1 — to allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature — sounded simple and reasonable enough at first. Then I read the Majority Report in the red “Information for Voters” booklet — a real eye-opener. While the current state auditor (whose office stands to gain power if this passes) is in favor of this initiative petition, many well-informed individuals are strongly opposed, including the state attorney general, a former Massachusetts state auditor, and numerous university professors and scholars.

Like most voters, I am not a constitutional scholar, and must rely on the opinions of these knowledgeable experts who warn that the auditor is proposing an unprecedented transfer of power from the people’s representatives to the executive branch, violating the well-contemplated constitutional principle of separation of powers. These experts believe that if this passes, there is a significant likelihood that it would be challenged on constitutional grounds and the Massachusetts courts would be forced to invalidate it.

The Legislature is already audited by an independent agency. The problem is that this wrong-headed change to the auditor’s powers would meet with a legal challenge and likely be declared unconstitutional. Let’s not put the commonwealth through this waste of time and money. Vote “no” on Question 1.

Judy Pozar

Amherst