Massachusetts Democrats are accused of secretly earmarking $5MILLION of budget money for dog parks, castles and 'private projects' in their districts

Democrats in Massachusetts have been accused of privately earmarking $5million in budget money to go toward their own projects in their districts. 

House Speaker Ron Mariano, Majority Leader Michael Moran, Budget Chief Aaron Michlewitz and Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante have accepted undisclosed earmarks that have been taken out of the state's $58billion taxpayer-funded budget, according to the Boston Globe. 

High-level legislators are technically allowed to take undisclosed amounts of money for 'hand-picked' projects before other members and voters are made aware. 

These earmarks are considered 'coveted' and a 'traditional perk' for politicians like Mariano, Moran, Michlewitz and Ferrante. 

Most of the money that was set aside for the Democrats was part of the state's $27million package that was released on April 26 after the House's three-day budget deliberations.  

'It not only offends principles of fairness among the members and basic ideas about transparency, it potentially opens the door to all kinds of sweetheart deals or even worse,' former Democratic state representative, Jonathan Hecht, told the Globe. 

House Speaker Ron Mariano has been named as one of the Massachusetts Democrats that allegedly took undisclosed funds from the state's budget for private projects in his district 

Budget Chief Aaron Michlewitz, the primary author of the budget, used $1.88million in state funding for local organizations in or near the North End neighborhood, according to the report

Majority Leader Moran of Brighton used $50,000 for a riverside amphitheater in his district, out of a total of $525,000 that he received, according to the report 

'There's no opportunity for anybody in the public to see what's being done-- until it's too late,' Hecht added. 

Michlewitz, the Democratic representative for the 3rd Suffolk District, and the primary author of the budget, used $1.88million in state funding for local organizations in or near the North End neighborhood. 

According to the Globe, he put $400,000 toward a local health care center, $50,000 for an unidentified group that represents the Bay Village, and gave $65,000 to a nonprofit that oversees two dog parks in the North End. 

Bay Village is also known as the 'secret-garden' and the smallest neighborhood in Boston. 

The neighborhood is covered in beautiful tree-filled streets and brick houses that cost millions of dollars. 

Many tourists and even locals haven't heard of the community that is next to the Theatre District, Boston Discovery Guide reported. 

The quaint neighborhood is known for its quiet streets, art deco buildings and warehouses that tend to be flipped into condos. 

There are small 'pocket' gardens scattered throughout Bay Village, along with benches, trees and dining spots. 

According to the Globe, Michlewitz 'scored seven times in earmark funding' compared to what the median lawmaker received. 

Michlewitz said that he met 'privately' with each lawmaker months before the budget was voted on, and that it was 'tens of millions lower' than what House lawmakers added in recent cycles. 

Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante who is on the House budget committee, scored $175,000 to be used for repairs on Gloucester's Hammond Castle

Mariano put $500,000 toward the Adam's Presidential Center (pictured), a nonprofit organization based in Quincy dedicated to former Presidents John Quincy and John Adams and their families

Gloucester's Hammond Castle, a mansion that was built the later 1920s and sits on the Atlantic coast in the Magnolia area, was repaired with money that Ferrante received 

The Globe found $77million in earmarks, including about $95million that the House added during deliberations. 

In his role as budget chief, Michlewitz is known to sit in private with lawmakers and listen to each of their proposals for funding. 

They are known to file into a 'Members Only' room and request earmarks to Michlewitz in conversations that are 'quicker than an elevator pitch,' one lawmaker said. 

Along with Michlewitz, Mariano has also used budget funds totaling to about $1.3million for communities in the 3rd Norfolk District. 

Of the amount, $500,000 was put toward the Adam's Presidential Center, a nonprofit organization based in Quincy dedicated to former Presidents John Quincy and John Adams and their families. 

The exhibition and planned research space was launched in 2022 as the mayor of Quincy, Thomas Koch, previously told The Patriot Ledger that the space would cover 'at least 100,000 square feet' of the city one day. 

In 2021, the city spent $9million to settle a lawsuit over the Adams Academy after the successor trustee took legal action to rescind the 50-year lease that the Quincy Historical Society had over the building. 

In addition to supplying funding for the academy, Mariano added another $30,000 for 'student supports' at Quincy College. 

The Globe reported that the public community college took in about $1.5million in earmarks from Mariano and two other unknown lawmakers that represent the city. 

In response to the claims, Mariano defended the House's budget procedure and said that it 'ensures that every member has multiple opportunities to have their voice heard, and their amendments considered.' 

'While local earmarks are often a critical source of needed support for our communities, the House remained focused on balancing their importance with the need to be fiscally prudent throughout this year’s budget process,' Mariano said in a statement. 

Michlewitz gave $500,000 to an undisclosed group that represents the Bay Village, the smallest neighborhood in Boston, also known as the 'secret garden' 

'While local earmarks are often a critical source of needed support for our communities, the House remained focused on balancing their importance with the need to be fiscally prudent throughout this year’s budget process,' Mariano said. (pictured: Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (left) and House Speaker Ronald Mariano (right))

In 2021, the city spent $9million to settle a lawsuit over the Adams Academy after the successor trustee took legal action to rescind the 50-year lease that the Quincy Historical Society had over the building

Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, who is on the House budget committee, scored $175,000 to be used for repairs on Gloucester's Hammond Castle. 

The oceanside castle was built in the late 1920s and sits on the Atlantic coast in the Magnolia area.

It is known as a popular wedding venue that also houses a museum that displays inventor John Hays Hammond Jr.'s Roman medieval and Renaissance collection. 

In total, Ferrante won $812,500 in earmarks that weren't made clear until deliberations began. 

Majority Leader Moran used $50,000 for a riverside amphitheater in his district, out of a total of $525,000 that he received.

Other lawmakers scored earmarks that went toward statewide projects, while others chose to use if for smaller, private projects. 

Representative Kevin Honan scored $2million for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, a statewide organization that serves children. 

Along with Michlewitz, Mariano has also used budget funds totaling to about $1.3million for communities in the 3rd Nortfolk District. (pictured: Michlewitz (middle-left) and Mariano (middle) announcing a tax relief package)

The castle is known as a popular wedding venue that also houses a museum that displays inventor John Hays Hammond Jr.'s Roman medieval and Renaissance collection. (pictured: The castle's indoor courtyard) 

Representative Carlos González of Springfield used $1million of his $3million  amendments for statewide grant programs for prosecutors and police. 

Representative Patricia Haddad who is also on the budget committee, filed an amendment for funds for a local sewer project. 

She later told the Globe that she later withdrew it because 'her aide filed it by mistake.' Haddad still made out with $200,000 for the project. 

'When you're on the committee [with Michlewitz] and you're three doors down...we talk,' she said. 

'For me to file an amendment would be kind of dumb,' Haddad added. 

In total, she secured more than $600,000 in earmarks, as $100,000 went toward a non-profit that her son is involved in. 

With the unspoken usage of budget funds, many have been left feeling unsettled by the vague understanding of where taxpayer's money is going. 

'The power structure of the House is unhealthy,' Evan Horowitz, an executive director of Tufts University's Center for State Policy Analysis said. 

'It is not surprising that there are not sprinkling fairly because not all members are treated equally in the power dynamic of the House.' 

State Rep. Russell Homes said 'people are scared' as a result. 

'When your salary is dependent on you not pulling this [amendment] out and your mortgage still needing to be paid, those things weigh on whether you want to get in the fight with the person who makes the decision in the building,' Holmes said. 

He sits on the House budget committee and won $825,000 in earmarks, according to the Globe.