Where is $5 billion of your money actually going? 

In this episode of Qué Pasa Boston, host Gabriela Salas sits down with Massachusetts State Treasurer candidate Elizabeth Dionne for an in-depth conversation on state finances, government transparency, and the balance of power on Beacon Hill.

Elizabeth Dionne—a Stanford graduate and local government official—explains why she believes fiscal accountability is missing in Massachusetts, how billions in unclaimed property are handled, and her plans for reforming the state lottery, funding vocational education, and instituting independent audits.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & Welcome: Who is Elizabeth Dionne?
00:27 - Why Run as a Republican in Massachusetts? (Checks & Balances on Beacon Hill)
01:31 - The 2024 Political Climate, Immigration & Connecting with Gateway Cities
02:59 - How Asian and Hispanic Communities Align with Fiscal Responsibility
04:08 - The Human Side of Immigration, Rule of Law & Family Background
04:58 - The Real Role of the State Treasurer: Budget, Debt & Affordability
05:32 - Cost of Living: Property Taxes, Utilities & Gas Prices
06:01 - Bipartisanship, Criminal Enforcement & Federal Immigration Reform
06:28 - Healthcare Workforce Shortages & the Impact of TPS on Care Facilities
07:14 - The $5 Billion in Unclaimed Property: Where Is Your Money?
08:24 - Modernizing State Tech: Implementing Money Match to Return Funds
09:12 - The Massachusetts Lottery: Online Gaming & Risks to Minors
10:48 - Where Does Lottery Revenue Really Go? (Local Aid vs. Childcare)
11:23 - The Local Aid Disparity: Why Gateway Cities Are Getting Shortchanged
12:17 - Local Budgets, Property Tax Overrides & Special Education Funding
13:14 - Supporting Nonprofits & Eliminating Healthcare Spending Inefficiencies
14:40 - Working Across the Aisle with a Democratic Legislature
15:35 - Charlie Baker Republicans & Independent Governance
16:16 - School Building Funding & the Waitlist for Vocational Schools
17:34 - Why Massachusetts Needs Term Limits for the Treasurer
18:24 - Addressing Conflicts of Interest & Campaign Contributions in State Contracting
19:54 - Pledging Independent Third-Party Audits for All 13 Treasury Departments
20:53 - Auditing Beacon Hill & Transparency in State Government
21:38 - Final Message: Growing Up in Financial Hardship & Serving Working Families
23:36 - Closing Remarks & Where to Connect

Connect with Elizabeth Dionne:
Website: https://votedionne.com

Follow Qué Pasa Boston:
YouTube: Subscribe at @GabrielaSalas
Listen on: iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode!

ESPAÑOL 

Título: El Estado Esconde $5.000 Millones: La Verdad Detrás de las Finanzas con Elizabeth Dione

¿A dónde van a parar realmente 5.000 millones de dólares de tu dinero?

En este episodio de Qué Pasa Boston, Gabriela Salas conversa con Elizabeth Dionne, candidata a Tesorera del Estado de Massachusetts, sobre finanzas públicas, transparencia gubernamental y la necesidad de contrapesos en Beacon Hill.

Elizabeth Dione—graduada de Stanford y servidora en el gobierno local—analiza la importancia de la responsabilidad fiscal, la gestión de los fondos y propiedades no reclamadas en el estado, y sus propuestas para reformar la lotería, apoyar la educación técnica-vocacional y realizar auditorías independientes.

Marcas de tiempo (Timestamps):
00:00 - Introducción y bienvenida: ¿Quién es Elizabeth Dionne?
00:27 - ¿Por qué postularse como republicana en Massachusetts? (Contrapesos en Beacon Hill)
01:31 - Clima político, inmigración y conexión con las "Gateway Cities"
02:59 - Comunidades hispanas y asiáticas frente a la responsabilidad fiscal
04:08 - El rostro humano de la inmigración, estado de derecho y experiencia familiar
04:58 - El rol real de la Tesorería: Presupuesto, deuda estatal y asequibilidad
05:32 - Costo de vida: Impuestos a la propiedad, servicios públicos y gasolina
06:01 - Bipartidismo, seguridad y reforma migratoria federal
06:28 - Escasez laboral en el sector salud y el impacto del TPS en centros de cuidado
07:14 - Los $5.000 millones en dinero no reclamado: ¿Dónde están tus fondos?
08:24 - Modernización tecnológica: Devolver el dinero mediante "Money Match"
09:12 - La Lotería de Massachusetts: Lotería en línea y riesgos para menores
10:48 - ¿A dónde va realmente el dinero de la lotería? (Ayuda local vs. cuidado infantil)
11:23 - Desigualdad en la ayuda estatal: Ciudades vulnerables subvencionando a las ricas
12:17 - Presupuestos locales, aumentos de impuestos y fondos de educación especial
13:14 - Apoyo a organizaciones sin fines de lucro e ineficiencias en salud pública
14:40 - Colaboración con una legislatura de mayoría demócrata
15:35 - El modelo republicano moderado estilo Charlie Baker
16:16 - Fondos escolares y la lista de espera para escuelas vocacionales
17:34 - Por qué se necesitan límites de mandato en la Tesorería
18:24 - Conflictos de interés y donaciones de industrias reguladas por el estado
19:54 - Compromiso de auditorías externas e independientes a los 13 departamentos
20:53 - La auditoría a Beacon Hill y la transparencia gubernamental
21:38 - Mensaje final: Superar dificultades económicas y servir a las familias trabajadoras
23:36 - Cierre del programa y enlaces para conectar

Conoce más sobre Elizabeth Dionne:
Sitio web: https://votedionne.com

Sigue a Qué Pasa Boston:
YouTube: Suscríbete en @GabrielaSalas
Escúchanos en: iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts y Spotify

¡No olvides darle like, suscribirte y compartir este episodio!

#Massachusetts #ElizabethDione #QuePasaBoston #NoticiasBoston #ResponsabilidadFiscal #PoliticaLocal

Where is $5 billion of your money actually going?&nbsp;
In this episode of Qu&eacute; Pasa Boston, host Gabriela Salas sits down with Massachusetts State Treasurer candidate Elizabeth Dionne for an in-depth conversation on state finances, government transparency, and the balance of power on Beacon Hill.
Elizabeth Dionne&mdash;a Stanford graduate and local government official&mdash;explains why she believes fiscal accountability is missing in Massachusetts, how billions in unclaimed property are handled, and her plans for reforming the state lottery, funding vocational education, and instituting independent audits.
Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction &amp; Welcome: Who is Elizabeth Dionne? 00:27 - Why Run as a Republican in Massachusetts? (Checks &amp; Balances on Beacon Hill) 01:31 - The 2024 Political Climate, Immigration &amp; Connecting with Gateway Cities 02:59 - How Asian and Hispanic Communities Align with Fiscal Responsibility 04:08 - The Human Side of Immigration, Rule of Law &amp; Family Background 04:58 - The Real Role of the State Treasurer: Budget, Debt &amp; Affordability 05:32 - Cost of Living: Property Taxes, Utilities &amp; Gas Prices 06:01 - Bipartisanship, Criminal Enforcement &amp; Federal Immigration Reform 06:28 - Healthcare Workforce Shortages &amp; the Impact of TPS on Care Facilities 07:14 - The $5 Billion in Unclaimed Property: Where Is Your Money? 08:24 - Modernizing State Tech: Implementing Money Match to Return Funds 09:12 - The Massachusetts Lottery: Online Gaming &amp; Risks to Minors 10:48 - Where Does Lottery Revenue Really Go? (Local Aid vs. Childcare) 11:23 - The Local Aid Disparity: Why Gateway Cities Are Getting Shortchanged 12:17 - Local Budgets, Property Tax Overrides &amp; Special Education Funding 13:14 - Supporting Nonprofits &amp; Eliminating Healthcare Spending Inefficiencies 14:40 - Working Across the Aisle with a Democratic Legislature 15:35 - Charlie Baker Republicans &amp; Independent Governance 16:16 - School Building Funding &amp; the Waitlist for Vocational Schools 17:34 - Why Massachusetts Needs Term Limits for the Treasurer 18:24 - Addressing Conflicts of Interest &amp; Campaign Contributions in State Contracting 19:54 - Pledging Independent Third-Party Audits for All 13 Treasury Departments 20:53 - Auditing Beacon Hill &amp; Transparency in State Government 21:38 - Final Message: Growing Up in Financial Hardship &amp; Serving Working Families 23:36 - Closing Remarks &amp; Where to Connect
Connect with Elizabeth Dionne: Website: https://votedionne.com
Follow Qu&eacute; Pasa Boston: YouTube: Subscribe at @GabrielaSalas Listen on: iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode!
ESPA&Ntilde;OL&nbsp;
T&iacute;tulo: El Estado Esconde $5.000 Millones: La Verdad Detr&aacute;s de las Finanzas con Elizabeth Dione
&iquest;A d&oacute;nde van a parar realmente 5.000 millones de d&oacute;lares de tu dinero?
En este episodio de Qu&eacute; Pasa Boston, Gabriela Salas conversa con Elizabeth Dionne, candidata a Tesorera del Estado de Massachusetts, sobre finanzas p&uacute;blicas, transparencia gubernamental y la necesidad de contrapesos en Beacon Hill.
Elizabeth Dione&mdash;graduada de Stanford y servidora en el gobierno local&mdash;analiza la importancia de la responsabilidad fiscal, la gesti&oacute;n de los fondos y propiedades no reclamadas en el estado, y sus propuestas para reformar la loter&iacute;a, apoyar la educaci&oacute;n t&eacute;cnica-vocacional y realizar auditor&iacute;as independientes.
Marcas de tiempo (Timestamps): 00:00 - Introducci&oacute;n y bienvenida: &iquest;Qui&eacute;n es Elizabeth Dionne? 00:27 - &iquest;Por qu&eacute; postularse como republicana en Massachusetts? (Contrapesos en Beacon Hill) 01:31 - Clima pol&iacute;tico, inmigraci&oacute;n y conexi&oacute;n con las "Gateway Cities" 02:59 - Comunidades hispanas y asi&aacute;ticas frente a la responsabilidad fiscal 04:08 - El rostro humano de la inmigraci&oacute;n, estado de derecho y experiencia familiar 04:58 - El rol real de la Tesorer&iacute;a: Presupuesto, deuda estatal y asequibilidad 05:32 - Costo de vida: Impuestos a la propiedad, servicios p&uacute;blicos y gasolina 06:01 - Bipartidismo, seguridad y reforma migratoria federal 06:28 - Escasez laboral en el sector salud y el impacto del TPS en centros de cuidado 07:14 - Los $5.000 millones en dinero no reclamado: &iquest;D&oacute;nde est&aacute;n tus fondos? 08:24 - Modernizaci&oacute;n tecnol&oacute;gica: Devolver el dinero mediante "Money Match" 09:12 - La Loter&iacute;a de Massachusetts: Loter&iacute;a en l&iacute;nea y riesgos para menores 10:48 - &iquest;A d&oacute;nde va realmente el dinero de la loter&iacute;a? (Ayuda local vs. cuidado infantil) 11:23 - Desigualdad en la ayuda estatal: Ciudades vulnerables subvencionando a las ricas 12:17 - Presupuestos locales, aumentos de impuestos y fondos de educaci&oacute;n especial 13:14 - Apoyo a organizaciones sin fines de lucro e ineficiencias en salud p&uacute;blica 14:40 - Colaboraci&oacute;n con una legislatura de mayor&iacute;a dem&oacute;crata 15:35 - El modelo republicano moderado estilo Charlie Baker 16:16 - Fondos escolares y la lista de espera para escuelas vocacionales 17:34 - Por qu&eacute; se necesitan l&iacute;mites de mandato en la Tesorer&iacute;a 18:24 - Conflictos de inter&eacute;s y donaciones de industrias reguladas por el estado 19:54 - Compromiso de auditor&iacute;as externas e independientes a los 13 departamentos 20:53 - La auditor&iacute;a a Beacon Hill y la transparencia gubernamental 21:38 - Mensaje final: Superar dificultades econ&oacute;micas y servir a las familias trabajadoras 23:36 - Cierre del programa y enlaces para conectar
Conoce m&aacute;s sobre Elizabeth Dionne: Sitio web: https://votedionne.com
Sigue a Qu&eacute; Pasa Boston: YouTube: Suscr&iacute;bete en @GabrielaSalas Esc&uacute;chanos en: iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts y Spotify
&iexcl;No olvides darle like, suscribirte y compartir este episodio!
#Massachusetts #ElizabethDione #QuePasaBoston #NoticiasBoston #ResponsabilidadFiscal #PoliticaLocal

QUE PASA BOSTON
Your Direct Connection to Boston's Vibrant Latino Community
Executive Producer and Host Gabriela Salas
THE PREMIER MULTICULTURAL PLATFORM IN NEW ENGLAND
Experience the power of Boston's most influential bilingual podcast and radio show, endorsed by Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, David “Big Papi” Ortiz and trusted by our dedicated iHeart listeners. Airing Sundays at 6 AM on Rumba 97.7 and 6:30AM on JAMN 94.5 with podcast availability for extended digital reach.
HOSTED BY A GLOBAL LEADER
Gabriela Salas brings 30+ years of expertise in developing markets for Fortune 500 companies. As a respected community leader and entrepreneur, she has established herself as a trusted voice in multicultural strategies and business development. Her profound connections with A-list celebrities and innovators ensure high-caliber conversations and valuable insights.

QUE PASA BOSTON Your Direct Connection to Boston's Vibrant Latino Community Executive Producer and Host Gabriela Salas THE PREMIER MULTICULTURAL PLATFORM IN NEW ENGLAND Experience the power of Boston's most influential bilingual podcast and radio show, endorsed by Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, David &ldquo;Big Papi&rdquo; Ortiz and trusted by our dedicated iHeart listeners. Airing Sundays at 6 AM on Rumba 97.7 and 6:30AM on JAMN 94.5 with podcast availability for extended digital reach. HOSTED BY A GLOBAL LEADER Gabriela Salas brings 30+ years of expertise in developing markets for Fortune 500 companies. As a respected community leader and entrepreneur, she has established herself as a trusted voice in multicultural strategies and business development. Her profound connections with A-list celebrities and innovators ensure high-caliber conversations and valuable insights.

QUE PASA BOSTONYour Direct Connection to Boston's Vibrant Latino Community*Hosted by Gabriela Salas, Vice President of iHeartMedia Sales*THE PREMIER MULTICULTURAL PLATFORM IN NEW ENGLANDExperience the power of Boston's most influential bilingual...

¿Que Pasa Boston?

QUE PASA BOSTON
Your Direct Connection to Boston's Vibrant Latino Community
*Hosted by Gabriela Salas, Vice President of iHeartMedia Sales*
THE PREMIER MULTICULTURAL PLATFORM IN NEW ENGLAND
Experience the power of Boston's most influential bilingual podcast and radio show, endorsed by Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, David “Big Papi” Ortiz and trusted by our dedicated iHeart listeners. Airing Sundays at 6 AM on Rumba 97.7 and 6:30AM on JAMN 94.5 with podcast availability for extended digital reach.
HOSTED BY A GLOBAL LEADER
Gabriela Salas brings 30+ years of expertise in developing markets for Fortune 500 companies. As a respected community leader and entrepreneur, she has established herself as a trusted voice in multicultural strategies and business development. Her profound connections with A-list celebrities and innovators ensure high-caliber conversations and valuable insights.

QUE PASA BOSTON Your Direct Connection to Boston's Vibrant Latino Community *Hosted by Gabriela Salas, Vice President of iHeartMedia Sales* THE PREMIER MULTICULTURAL PLATFORM IN NEW ENGLAND Experience the power of Boston's most influential bilingual podcast and radio show, endorsed by Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, David “Big Papi” Ortiz and trusted by our dedicated iHeart listeners. Airing Sundays at 6 AM on Rumba 97.7 and 6:30AM on JAMN 94.5 with podcast availability for extended digital reach. HOSTED BY A GLOBAL LEADER Gabriela Salas brings 30+ years of expertise in developing markets for Fortune 500 companies. As a respected community leader and entrepreneur, she has established herself as a trusted voice in multicultural strategies and business development. Her profound connections with A-list celebrities and innovators ensure high-caliber conversations and valuable insights.

Massachusetts State Treasurer candidate Elizabeth Dione joins Qué Pasa Boston to expose fiscal mismanagement and advocate for checks and balances on Beacon Hill. She details her plans to modernize the state's $5 billion in unclaimed funds, reform the state lottery to protect minors, and eliminate healthcare spending inefficiencies. Drawing on her personal background with financial hardship, Dione pledges independent audits and term limits to hold state government accountable to working families.

The Real Reason Massachusetts Has $5 Billion in Unclaimed Money |Elizabeth Dionne

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/4351ddc1-34df-428b-8a8a-b4f50060ab19/transcript