Keller: DiZoglio's escalating rumble

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"Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast."

— Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) in the movie “Anchorman” describing a violent clash between competing San Diego TV news teams

The Rumble Under the Rotunda between Auditor Diana DiZoglio and the Beacon Hill establishment has been a bit slower to reach full boil than the “Anchorman” brawl. And unlike the movie version, no one has been murdered by a trident — yet.

But last week saw a new level of personal animosity and political warfare in the dispute over the 2024 initiative petition giving DiZoglio authority to audit the Legislature, famously approved by 72% of the voters. 

When she sat down with us for a WBZ-TV interview last week, DiZoglio reported that a day after the Supreme Judicial Court agreed to hear arguments on the disputed constitutionality of the audit, Attorney General Andrea Campbell “actually decided for the first time in well over a year to call me on my personal cell phone to try to discuss the matter.” No dice. Claiming the call was a violation of the rules of professional legal conduct, DiZoglio had her general counsel call back and say “we would be happy to speak with the Attorney General, but that that does need to be done in the light of day, through official channels, and not behind the scenes, over private cell phone conversations where the public can't see.”

So much for settling out of court. We’ll leave analysis of the legal semantics of the call to others, and the constitutionality of the audit to the SJC. But it’s notable that in our interview, DiZoglio was hard at work laying down some of her most aggressive political attacks on the motives of not only her opponents, but also the judges who will decide the audit’s fate.

The audit petition capitalized on traditional public distrust of the legislature (but not their own senator or rep; Massachusetts has one of the nation’s highest incumbent re-election rates). And DiZoglio aims to keep the mistrust percolating: “I do believe that there is some level of public corruption going on between the attorney general, Speaker and Senate President, because it is unlawful to conspire behind the scenes, even if it's just two or three people to violate the law, and that is what they have done.”

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8:15 | Gov. Maura Healey greets riders at North Station with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, and announces summer Commuter Rail discounts. | North Station, 135 Causeway St, Boston

8:30 | Rahm Emanuel speaks at the New England Council's "Politics & Eggs" series, which often features candidates considering presidential runs. Emanuel, a Democrat, was ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2025, was mayor of Chicago between 2011 and 2019, worked as President Barack Obama's chief of staff in 2009 and 2010, and was a congressman from 2003 to 2009. | New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Dr., Manchester

9:00 | Boston College High School hosts New York Times columnist David Brooks as part of its launch of the Edmond D. Villani ’64 Institute for Civil Discourse, designed to help students learn how to communicate despite differences. Brooks will speak about civic culture and the role thoughtful dialogue plays in public life. | Boston College High School, 150 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester

1:00 | The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions holds a public hearing on a measure (H 5007) to lower the state income tax from 5% to 4% over three years and another (H 5006) that caps the amount of revenue the state can collect each year and refunds excess revenue collected to taxpayers. | Hearing Room A-2, State House, Boston | More Info and Access

2:00 | Gov. Maura Healey meets privately with Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. A press availability will follow. | Governor's Office, State House, Boston

7:00 | Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will give remarks at the EXTRAordinary Women's Reception. | Institute of Contemporary Arts, 184 Dudley St #200, Seaport

BIZ SECTOR DIVIDED: Massachusetts business leaders are united behind their dislike for the millionaires tax, but a proposed ballot initiative that would cut the income tax is dividing them. Suffolk CEO John Fish and Eastern Bank’s Bob Rivers are among the business leaders opposing the ballot initiative pushed by the Mass. High Tech Council. – Bloomberg

MINOGUE’S COMPANY: Michael Minogue has touted his time leading a medical device company as part of his GOP bid for governor, but Abiomed, which is based in Danvers, has seen federal warnings, litigation and allegations of kickbacks. – Boston Globe

SMALLER TAX BILLS: Taxpayers in blue states, including Massachusetts, will see big refunds and smaller tax bills due to President Trump’s tax cuts, as a law from last year raises the deduction for state and local taxes, also known as SALT. – Wall Street Journal

MBTA’S SUMMER PLANS: This summer will feature free rides for many commuter rail passengers on Fridays, and temporary price cuts to monthly passes. Monthly passholders will also be able to bring another rider with them for $1 on weekends. – Boston Globe

COASTAL RETREAT: Massachusetts weighs a voluntary buyout program for residents who live along the coast, as part of larger efforts to limit or adapt to the effects of climate change. – CommonWealth Beacon

QUITTING TIME: Two officials in Marshfield have resigned as the town grapples with a $7 million budget shortfall. One cited a “mob mentality” during a tense meeting. – Patriot Ledger

BOSTON BUSES: Boston parents say they’re frustrated with chronically late school buses, as the City Council plans an emergency hearing Tuesday to look into the impacts of delays. – WBUR 

BIG OVERRIDE: The town of Brookline plans to ask voters in May to sign off on a massive $23.25 million property tax override. Town officials say it’s needed to cover a budget deficit caused by rising special education and health care costs, as well as union contracts. – Brookline.News

TAKEDA LAYOFFS: Japanese pharma giant Takeda plans to lay off 247 people in Massachusetts this year, and 387 people in other estates as part of a broader company restructuring. – Boston Business Journal

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