February 9, 2026

Deaton Files Lawsuit to Enforce Legislative Audit Mandate

Calls for Targeted Pause on Non-Essential, Non-Emergency, Discretionary Federal Funding

Boston, MA – John Deaton is leading a group of Massachusetts taxpayers in filing a lawsuit under M.G.L. c. 29, § 63 to prevent the unlawful expenditure of public funds by the Massachusetts Legislature. The action seeks to compel the Legislature to comply with the 2024 voter-approved mandate, passed by 72% of voters, granting the State Auditor authority to audit legislative operations.

In reference to his actions, Deaton stated, “As some who grew up among and still fights for working families, parents, and vulnerable residents; an audit would ensure taxpayer dollars actually reach the people who need them most.”

Deaton continued, “In a parallel effort to ensure accountability, this lawsuit creates a targeted pause on new discretionary federal grants and matching funds. It is titled ‘ The Democratic Accountability & Transparency (DAT) Squeeze.’  The proposal calls on the federal government to immediately suspend the flow of non-essential, non-emergency, discretionary administrative and capital funding to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

Deaton’s targeted "financial freeze" is designed to impact the political leadership and bureaucratic machinery of the state until the Legislature opens its books and respects the will of the voters, while strictly protecting the essential benefits relied upon by seniors, children, and low-income families. 

Deaton’s DAT Squeeze specifically targets:

• Executive & Legislative Discretionary Grants: A suspension of funding for new state-level initiatives and "ribbon-cutting" projects.

• Administrative Overhead Reimbursements: Federal funds that pay for the very state bureaucracy currently obstructing the Auditor. Suspension of all indirect cost reimbursements to the Massachusetts Legislature and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. These funds cover the overhead of running the government – salaries for political staffers, office leases, and administrative logistics. If a state refuses to be audited, the federal government should not subsidize the administration that is obstructing that audit.

• Freezing the “Match Fund” Pipeline: Governor Healey and the Legislature recently authorized $750 million to “match” federal grants from the IIJA (Infrastructure), IRA (Green Energy), and CHIPS Act. Deaton and his group of taxpayers propose that the federal government pause all new approvals for Massachusetts-led discretionary grant applications. This forces the Governor and Legislature to choose between their secrecy and their ability to secure billions in “legacy-building” projects.

Deaton’s DAT Squeeze provides a Vulnerability Shield and EXEMPTS:

• Social Safety Net: 100% of funding for HHS/Medicaid, USDA/SNAP, and WIC.

• Education: All Title I and Special Education funding for low-income K-12 schools.

• Public Safety: Emergency response and essential infrastructure safety maintenance.

Deaton explained, “For over a year, Beacon Hill has ignored the democratic will of the people, hiding behind vague claims of 'unconstitutionality' to avoid a state audit,”

Deaton concluded, “If the state legislature refuses to honor the transparency laws passed by the voters, they have proven they cannot be trusted to oversee billions in federal taxpayer dollars. We are asking the federal government to stop the ‘perks’ of state government until the books are opened.”

The lawsuit was jointly filed by John Deaton, himself, a Massachusetts lawyer, and by independent counsel, Michael Walsh. The Plaintiffs are committed to seeing the process through to restore accountability. This effort, led by John Deaton, underscores a simple principle: Government works for the people, and the people's will must be honored without hurting the families who need help the most. This non-partisan initiative focuses solely on enforcing the 2024 ballot mandate for legislative audits while protecting essential support for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents.