Press Release: 3/24/2026
Op-Ed: Our state of hypocrisy over transparency
Did you happen to see our latest Op-Ed in the Sunday Boston Herald?
In our sendoff to Sunshine Week, we highlight the pattern of troubling transparency failures occurring across Massachusetts, from excessive public records fees to delays and outright resistance from state and local officials. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a system where the burden is too often placed on citizens to fight for access to information that should be readily available.
Our op-ed also details a deeper concern involving the state’s climate policies. While Massachusetts has taken legal action against Exxon Mobil over transparency claims, records obtained through litigation reveal that even state agencies may not be complying with their own reporting requirements and climate mandates. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars have been spent on outside legal counsel in order to defend the state from failing to comply with its own climate mandates.
With projections putting the cost of the state’s climate agenda from $130 billion to up to $400 billion, taxpayers deserve accountability. Transparency cannot be a one-way demand.
We encourage you to read the full op-ed here: https://www.massfiscal.org/op_ed_our_state_of_hypocrisy_over_transparency
You can share the op-ed by forwarding this email and posting the op-ed link to your social media pages. Thank you for your continued support in holding Beacon Hill accountable.
Sincerely,
Paul D. Craney
Executive Director
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance