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    The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is governed by a set of political tenets laid down in its state constitution. Legislative power is held by the bicameral General Court, which is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The governor exercises executive power with other independently elected officers: the Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Auditor. The state's judicial power rests in the Supreme Judicial Court, which manages its court system. Cities and towns act through local governmental bodies to the extent that they are authorized by the Commonwealth on local issues, including limited home-rule authority. Although most county governments were abolished during the 1990s and 2000s, a handful remain.

    Massachusetts' capital city is Boston. The seat of power is in Beacon Hill, home of the legislative and executive branches. The Supreme Judicial Court is in nearby Pemberton Hill.

    Federal government

    Congressional delegation

    For Congressional representation outlined in the United States Constitution, Massachusetts elects two senators to the Senate, as well as a number of Representatives to the House of Representatives proportional to the state's population in the US Census. From the 2010 Census, Massachusetts has nine representatives. As of the 2020 election, all these officials have been from the Democratic Party. This makes the Massachusetts federal delegation the largest single-party federal delegation in the United States.


    Congressional delegation of Massachusetts
    ChamberDistrictOfficialPartyTerm beganTerm expires
    SenateAt-LargeElizabeth WarrenDemocratic20192025
    Ed MarkeyDemocratic20212027
    House of Representatives1stRichard NealDemocratic20232025
    2ndJim McGovernDemocratic
    3rdLori TrahanDemocratic
    4thJake AuchinclossDemocratic
    5thKatherine ClarkDemocratic
    6thSeth MoultonDemocratic
    7thAyanna PressleyDemocratic
    8thStephen LynchDemocratic
    9thBill KeatingDemocratic

    Federal courts

    For federal court cases the State falls within the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

    Electoral College

    Massachusetts has 11 votes in the electoral college for election of the President, which are given on a winner-take-all basis. The state joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact in 2009, though the Compact has not yet achieved sufficient national support to be activated.

    Executive

    Massachusetts has 151 departments or agencies and over 700 independent boards and commissions.[1] The head of the state's Executive Branch is by law the Governor, but it also has two types of executive officials that do not fall in the Governor's control. Constitutional officers are the elected officials specified by the state constitution, while independent agencies are created by statute and the governor exercises only indirect control through appointments.[2]

    Constitutional officers


    Constitutional officers
    IncumbentOfficeStatusEx officioDepartmentsTook office
    Officers
    Her Excellency
    Maura Healey
    (born 1971)
    GovernorHead of state
    Head of government
    Cabinet
    Governor's Council
    Commander-in-chief of the National Guard
    • Office of Constituent Services
    • Office of Federal-State Relations
    18 January 2023
    (15 months ago)
     (2023-01-18)
    Her Honor
    Kim Driscoll
    (born 1966)
    Lieutenant GovernorDeputy officerCabinet
    Chair of the Governor's Council
    • Office of Constituent Services
    • Office of Federal-State Relations
    5 January 2023
    (15 months ago)
     (2023-01-05)
    His Honor
    William F. Galvin
    (born 1950)
    Secretary of the CommonwealthChief administrator
    Keeper of the Seal
    Registrar of deeds
    Records officer
    Chief Elections Officer
    Head of the Massachusetts Archives
    Chair of the Massachusetts Historical Commission
    • Registry of Deeds
    • Office of Campaign and Political Finance
    • Division of Elections
    • Public Records Division
    1 January 1995
    (29 years ago)
     (1995-01-01)
    The Honorable
    Andrea Campbell
    (born 1982)
    Attorney GeneralChief legal officer
    • The Energy and Environment Bureau
    • The Government Bureau
    • The Health Care and Fair Competition Bureau
    • The Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau
    18 January 2023
    (15 months ago)
     (2023-01-18)
    The Honorable
    Deb Goldberg
    (born 1954)
    Treasurer and Receiver-GeneralTreasurerChair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority
    Chair of the Massachusetts Lottery
    Chair of the State Board of Retirement
    • Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission
    • Unclaimed Property Division
    • Veterans' Bonus Division
    • Massachusetts Clean Water Trust
    21 January 2015
    (9 years ago)
     (2015-01-21)
    The Honorable
    Diana DiZoglio
    (born 1983)
    State AuditorAuditor general
    • Bureau of Special Investigations
    • Division of Audit Operations
    • Division of Local Mandates
    • Municipal Finance Oversight Board
    18 January 2023
    (15 months ago)
     (2023-01-18)

    Governor's Council

    Large, domed building with columns and an American flag in front
    Massachusetts State House in Boston

    The Governor's Council consists of eight councilors elected from districts every two years, as well as the lieutenant governor. The council provides for advice and consent for judicial appointments, appointment of certain public officials including notaries public and justices of the peace, pardons and commutations, and certain payments from the state treasury.[3] The governor is the nonvoting president of the council, but is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor in their absence.

    Massachusetts Governor's Council
    DistrictCouncilorParty
    Chairperson, at-largeKim DriscollDemocrat
    District 1Joseph FerreiraDemocrat
    District 2Vacant--
    District 3Marilyn M. Petitto DevaneyDemocrat
    District 4Christopher A. IannellaDemocrat
    District 5Eileen R. DuffDemocrat
    District 6Terrence W. KennedyDemocrat
    District 7Paul DePaloDemocrat
    District 8Tara J. JacobsDemocrat

    Some executive agencies are tasked by the legislature with formulating regulations by following a prescribed procedure. Most of these are collected in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations.

    Cabinet and government agencies

    The governor has a cabinet of eleven secretaries. They supervise the state agencies, which are under the direct control of the governor.[4] Nine of the secretaries preside over the executive office of their respective areas.[5]

    Executive departments of Massachusetts
    OfficeSecretary[6]DepartmentsWebsite
    Executive Office of Administration and FinanceMatthew GorzkowiczAppellate Tax Boardhttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-for-administration-and-finance
    Bureau of the State House
    Civil Service Commission
    Department of Revenue
    Developmental Disabilities Council
    Division of Administrative Law Appeals
    Division of Capital Asset Management
    State Library
    Group Insurance Commission
    Healthy Policy Commission
    Health Resources Division
    Office on Disability
    Operational Services Division
    Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission
    Teacher's Retirement Board
    Executive Office of Energy and Environmental AffairsRebecca TepperDepartment of Agricultural Resourceshttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs
    Department of Conservation and Recreation
    Department of Energy Resources
    Department of Environmental Protection
    Department of Fish and Game
    Department of Public Utilities
    State Reclamation Board
    Environmental Police
    Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance
    Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesKate WalshMassachusetts Department of Children and Familieshttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-health-and-human-services
    Department of Developmental Services
    Department of Elder Affairs
    Department of Mental Health
    Department of Public Health
    Department of Transitional Assistance
    Department of Veterans' Services
    Department of Youth Services
    Department of Public Health
    Office of Refugees and Immigrants
    Commission for the Blind
    Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    Rehabilitation Commission
    MassHealth
    Soldiers Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke
    Executive Office of Housing and Economic DevelopmentYvonne HaoConsumers Affairs and Business Regulationhttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-housing-and-economic-development
    Department of Business Development
    Department of Housing and Community Development
    Department of Telecommunications and Cable
    Division of Banks
    Division of Insurance
    Division of Professional Licensure
    Division of Standards
    Massachusetts Marketing Partnership
    Executive Office of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentLauren JonesDepartment of Career Serviceshttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-labor-and-workforce-development
    Department of Industrial Accidents
    Department of Labor Relations
    Department of Labor Standards
    Department of Unemployment Assistance
    Executive Office of Public Safety and SecurityTerrence ReidyDepartment of Criminal Justice Information Systemshttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-public-safety-and-security
    Department of Correction
    Department of Fire Services
    Department of Public Safety
    Department of State Police
    Emergency Management Agency
    Merit Rating Board
    Massachusetts Organized Militia
    Municipal Police Training Committee
    Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
    Parole Board
    Sex Offender Registry Board
    Executive Office of Technology Services and SecurityJason Snyderhttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-technology-services-and-security
    Executive Office of EducationPatrick TutwilerDepartment of Early Education and Carehttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-education
    Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
    Department of Higher Education
    Public Colleges and Universities
    Executive Office of Transportation and Public WorksGina Fiandacahttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation

    Legislature

    Marble lobby with statues, columns and a flight of steps
    State House interior

    The state legislature is formally known as the Massachusetts General Court, reflecting its colonial-era judicial duties. It has two houses: the 40-member Senate and the 160-member House of Representatives. Members of both houses have two-year terms. The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives and controls the flow of legislation. The President is the presiding officer of the Senate.

    The General Court is responsible for enacting the state's laws. A bill signed by the governor, or passed by two-thirds of both houses over his or her veto, becomes law. Its session laws are published in the Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts, which are codified as the General Laws of Massachusetts. On June 9, 2017, S&P Global Ratings downgraded Massachusetts' bond rating to AA (the third-highest tier) due to the legislature's inability to replenish the state's rainy day fund in the face of above-average economic growth.[7]

    Senate leadershipHouse leadership
    President
    Karen Spilka
    (D - Massachusetts Senate's 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district)
    Speaker of the House
    Ronald Mariano
    (D - 3rd Norfolk)
    President pro tempore
    Will Brownsberger
    (D - 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex)
    Speaker pro tempore
    Kate Hogan
    (D - 3rd Middlesex)
    Majority Leader
    Cynthia Stone Creem
    (D - 1st Middlesex and Norfolk)
    Majority Leader
    Michael Moran
    (D - 18th Suffolk)
    Minority Leader
    Bruce Tarr
    (R - 1st Essex and Middlesex)
    Minority Leader
    Bradley Jones Jr.
    (R - 20th Middlesex)

    Judiciary

    Large, 19th-century building landscaped with small trees
    The John Adams Courthouse, home of the Supreme Judicial Court

    The judiciary is the branch of the government that interprets and applies state law, ensures equal justice under law, and provides a mechanism for dispute resolution. The Massachusetts court system consists of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, and seven trial-court departments.

    Supreme Judicial Court

    Judicial power is centered in the Supreme Judicial Court, which oversees the court system. In addition to its appellate functions, the Supreme Judicial Court is responsible for the governance of the judiciary and the bar, makes (or approves) rules for the operation of the courts and, on request, provides advisory opinions to the governor and legislature on legal issues. The Supreme Judicial Court also oversees affiliated judicial agencies, including the Board of Bar Overseers, the Board of Bar Examiners, the Clients' Security Board, the Massachusetts Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, and Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services.

    PositionNameBornBegan serviceMandatory retirementAppointed byLaw school
    Chief JusticeKimberly S. Budd (1966-10-23) October 23, 1966 (age 57)December 1, 2020[a]2036Charlie BakerHarvard
    Senior Associate JusticeFrank Gaziano (1963-09-08) September 8, 1963 (age 60)August 18, 20162034Charlie BakerSuffolk
    Associate JusticeScott L. Kafker (1959-04-24) April 24, 1959 (age 65)August 21, 20172029Charlie BakerChicago
    Associate JusticeDalila Argaez Wendlandt1968 or 1969 (age 54–55)December 4, 20202038/2039Charlie BakerStanford
    Associate JusticeSerge Georges Jr.1969 or 1970 (age 53–54)[8]December 16, 20202039/2040Charlie BakerSuffolk
    Associate JusticeBessie Dewar (1980-07-04) July 4, 1980 (age 43)January 16, 20242050Maura HealeyYale
    Associate JusticeGabrielle Wolohojian (1960-12-16) December 16, 1960 (age 63)Designate[9]2030Maura HealeyColumbia
    1. ^ Associate Justice from August 24, 2016 to December 1, 2020.

    Appeals Court

    The Appeals Court the state appellate court, which means that the justices review decisions made in the Trial Courts. The Appeals Court also has jurisdiction over appeals from final decisions of three State agencies: the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The Appeals Court consists of a chief justice and twenty-four associate justices.[10]

    Trial courts

    County government

    Only the southeastern third of the state has county governments; in western, central, and northeastern Massachusetts, traditional county-level government was eliminated during the late 1990s. District attorneys and sheriffs are elected by constituencies which mainly follow county boundaries, and are funded by the state budget.[11][12] Sheriff's departments operate correctional facilities and perform service of process in the county.

    Sheriffs

    Sheriffs in Massachusetts
    CountySheriff[13]PartyWebsite
    BarnstableDonna D. BuckleyDemocratLink
    BerkshireThomas BowlerDemocratLink
    BristolPaul HerouxDemocratLink
    DukesRobert OgdenDemocratLink
    EssexKevin CoppingerDemocratLink
    FranklinChristopher DonelanDemocratLink
    HampdenNick CocchiDemocratLink
    HampshirePatrick CahillaneDemocratLink
    MiddlesexPeter KoutoujianDemocratLink
    NantucketJames PerelmanDemocratLink
    NorfolkPatrick W. McDermottDemocratLink
    PlymouthJoseph McDonald, Jr.RepublicanLink
    SuffolkSteven TompkinsDemocratLink
    WorcesterLewis EvangelidisRepublicanLink

    District attorney

    District attorneys are elected in 11 districts and serve as a public prosecutor representing the Commonwealth during criminal prosecutions. Most district attorneys are elected within the boundaries of a single county, and the district courts they operate in are within that county. The exception is Hampshire and Franklin Counties and the Town of Athol which make up the Northwestern District; and Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties which make up the Cape and Islands District. Some districts that follow traditional county lines are officially known by a different name than the county, but they may also informally be called by the county name.

    District attorneys of Massachusetts
    District (Counties)District attorney[14]PartyWebsite
    Berkshire DistrictAndrea HarringtonDemocratLink
    Bristol DistrictThomas Quinn, IIIDemocratLink
    Cape and Islands District (Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket)Michael O'KeefeRepublicanLink
    Eastern District (Essex)Jonathan BlodgetDemocratLink
    Hampden DistrictAnthony GulluniDemocratLink
    Middle District (Worcester)Joseph EarlyDemocratLink
    NorfolkMichael MorrisseyDemocratLink
    Northern (Middlesex)Marian RyanDemocratLink
    Northwestern (Hampshire, Franklin)David SullivanDemocratLink
    PlymouthTimothy CruzRepublicanLink
    SuffolkKevin HaydenDemocratLink

    Registry of deeds

    All counties in Massachusetts have at least one registry of deeds, which is responsible for recording and holding copies of deeds, titles, and other land records within their district.[15] Each registry is run by an elected register of deeds, who serves for 6 year terms. Most counties have one registry, but some are divided into separate districts with their own registry. There are 21 registries.

    Registry of deeds in Massachusetts
    CountyRegistryRegister[16]Website
    BarnstableBarnstableJohn F. Mead (R)
    BerkshireNorth BerkshireMaria T. Ziemba (D)
    Middle BerkshirePatsy Harris (D)
    South BerkshireMichelle L. Laramee-Jenney (I)
    BristolNorth BristolBarry J. Amaral (D)
    Fall RiverBernard J. McDonald, III (D)
    South BristolSherrilynn M. Mello
    DukesDukesPaulo C. Deoliveiria (D)
    EssexNorth EssexM. Paul Iannuccillo (D)
    South EssexJohn L. O'Brien, Jr. (D)
    FranklinFranklinScott A. Cote (D)
    HampdenHampdenCheryl A. Coakley-Rivera (D)
    HampshireHampshireMary K. Olberding (D)
    MiddlesexNorth MiddlesexRichard P. Howe, Jr. (D)
    South MiddlesexMaria C. Curatone (D)
    NantucketNantucketJennifer H. Ferreira (I)
    NorfolkNorfolkWilliam P. O'Donnell (D)
    PlymouthPlymouthJohn R. Buckley, Jr. (D)
    SuffolkSuffolkStephen J. Murphy (D)
    WorcesterNorth WorcesterKathleen Reynolds Daigneault (D)
    South WorcesterKathryn A. Toomey (D)

    Municipal government

    Modern concrete building
    Boston City Hall

    Massachusetts shares with the five other New England states the New England town form of government. All land in Massachusetts is divided among cities and towns and there are no unincorporated areas, population centers, or townships. Massachusetts has four kinds of public-school districts: local schools, regional schools, vocational-technical schools, and charter schools.

    Amendment Article 89 (LXXXIX) of the Massachusetts Constitution defines the powers of self-government that municipalities are entitled to. Additional powers, such as the ability to collect certain taxes, are delegated to municipalities under state law. The article requires that General Laws passed by the General Court apply to at least two municipalities. Special Laws that apply to only one municipality must be enacted in response to a home rule petition from that city or town, or with a two-thirds majority in the General Court, or for the purpose of establishing, disestablishing, or modifying municipal boundaries.[17]

    Proposition 2½ gives municipalities the right to state payment of municipal costs incurred as a result of any new state mandates implemented after January 1, 1981. Cities and towns can vote to accept a new mandate, or ask the Massachusetts State Auditor to determine the amount of funding owed; if the legislature does not provide that amount then ask the Massachusetts Superior Court for a ruling that grants the municipality an exemption from complying with unfunded mandates.[18]

    Elections and politics

    Massachusetts is known for its progressive politics, and is a stronghold of American Liberalism and the Democratic Party. In a 2018 Gallup poll Massachusetts was the state with the highest percentage of its population identifying as liberal and the lowest percentage identifying as conservative, at 35% and 21% respectively.[19] This and the high profile of well known politicians from Massachusetts such as the Kennedy family has led to the derogatory political phrase "Massachusetts Liberal".

    Ratings and rankings

    Transparency

    The state has an open-meeting law enforced by the attorney general, and a public-records law enforced by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.[24] A 2008 report by the Better Government Association and National Freedom of Information Coalition ranked Massachusetts 43rd out of the 50 US states in government transparency. It gave the state a grade of "F", based on the time, cost, and comprehensiveness of access to public records.[25] Access to government records and the actions of the Secretary in enforcing the law became an issue in the 2014 campaign for the office. Incumbent William Galvin cited his previous requests that the legislature revise the Public Records Law to facilitate access.[26] According to the governor, he is exempt from the Public Records Law.[24] A reform law was signed on June 3, 2016 and took effect on January 1, 2017, imposing stricter time limits and lower costs.[27]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ "Home - Boards and Commissions". appointments.state.ma.us. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
    2. ^ "Constitutionals & Independents". Mass.gov. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
    3. ^ "Governor's Council". Mass.gov. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
    4. ^ "State Government Organizational Chart - Commonwealth of Massachusetts". mass.gov. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
    5. ^ 6A MGL 2
    6. ^ "Governor's Cabinet". www.mass.gov. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
    7. ^ Miller, Joshua (June 9, 2017). "State bond rating downgraded in blow to Baker, Mass. politicians". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
    8. ^ Lisinski, Chris (December 17, 2020). "Randolph's Serge Georges sworn in to Supreme Judicial court". The Patriot Ledger. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
    9. ^ "Governor's Council confirms Wolohojian as next justice on Supreme Judicial Court". WBUR News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
    10. ^ "Appeals Court". Mass.gov. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    11. ^ "FY2009 Budget - District Attorneys General Appropriations Act". mass.gov. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
    12. ^ "FY2009 Budget - Sheriffs General Appropriations Act". mass.gov. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
    13. ^ "PD43+ » Search Elections". PD43+. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
    14. ^ "PD43+ » Search Elections". PD43+. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
    15. ^ "Massachusetts Land Records". Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020. (List of Massachusetts Registries of Deeds)
    16. ^ "PD43+ » Search Elections". PD43+. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
    17. ^ What is Home Rule? Massachusetts Department of Revenue
    18. ^ Learn about mandate determinations, Massachusetts State Auditor
    19. ^ Jones, Jeffery M. (February 22, 2019). "Conservatives Greatly Outnumber Liberals in 19 U.S. States". Gallup.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
    20. ^ Ranking the States on Financial Transparency
    21. ^ Following the Money 2018
    22. ^ Harry Enten (January 23, 2015). "Ranking The States From Most To Least Corrupt". Five Thirty Eight.
    23. ^ How does your state rank for integrity?
    24. ^ a b "FOREWORD". rcfp.org. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
    25. ^ "States Failing FOI Responsiveness". nfoic.org. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
    26. ^ "Secretary of State Galvin faces criticism for keeping government secrets - Metro - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
    27. ^ "Gov. Baker Signs Law Overhauling State's Public Records System". www.wbur.org. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.

    Further reading

    External links