2. Mass. constitution
Written in 1780, during American War for
Independence, by…
…John Adams!
Oldest functioning constitution in the world
Mass. one of only four “commonwealths” in USA
(can you name the other three?)
Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania
Commonwealth: A state in which the government
functions with the common consent of the people.
4. S t a te G o v e r n m e n t
E x e c u t iv e B r a n c h
G o v e r n o r 's O f f ic e
L e g is la t iv e B ra n c h
G e n e r a l C o u rt
S e n a te
J u d ic ia l B r a n c h
S u p r e m e J u d ic ia l C o u rt
H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t iv e s
6. Qualifications, Terms, etc.
Four-year terms; elections held in off-year
(halfway between presidential elections)
No minimum age!
Must have resided in state for 7 years prior to
election
Governor’s salary: $135,000
Inauguration
7. The Governor
Governor is chief executive of Executive Branch
May propose a law
Veto power
Appoints all judges, parole board members, heads of state
agencies
Power to pardon, commute, grant reprieve
Commander-in-chief of state militia, a.k.a. _____________
(when not in federal service)
No recall provision in Mass. (only 18 states, such as Calif., have
it) but governor may be impeached and removed by state
legislature
Since 1990, string of four Republican governors – divided
government (Exec. Branch=Republican, Legis.
Branch=Democratic)
12. State Senator Karen Spilka (DFramingham)
One of two state
senators that represent
part of Franklin
Not bad: 2 of 40 have
Franklin’s issues in
mind
16. Mass. Legislative Leaders
Leaders of both House and Senate are Democrats…
Why?????
… Because: Majority party chooses Speaker (House),
President (Senate), and all committee chairs
Senate: 35 Democrats, 5 Republicans
House of Reps: 139 Democrats, 21 Republicans
Dems have SUPERMAJORITY (“veto-proof”) in both
houses
17. How a Bill Becomes a Law in Mass.
Any Massachusetts citizen (yes, you!!!) may file a bill
through a state legislator, or a bill may be filed directly by
a legislator or by the governor.
To win passage, a bill must gain a majority vote of both
houses of the legislature.
After a bill is passed, the governor has 10 days in which
to sign it, return it for reconsideration (usually with
amendments), veto it, or hold onto it until after the
legislature adjourns ("pocket veto").
A veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the
members present in both houses.
18. Qualifications, Terms
Elections are held in even-numbered years
$50,000 salary
Minimum age to serve in legislature is 18
Must live in district (Senate: for five years; House: for one
year)
Term is two years for both Senate and House
19. How should legislators vote?
Trustee: a legislator votes their conscience on each
issue; they were elected because the people of their
district felt they were the best person for the job and
could be…trusted
Delegate: a legislator votes based on the majority
opinion of her/his constituents – truly a
representative
Partisan: a legislator feels duty-bound to vote in line
with their political party’s leadership
21. Supreme Judicial Court
State’s top court: seven judges
Chief Justice Margaret Marshall
In landmark Goodrich case (2003): 4-3 ruling:
Mass. constitution does not prohibit gay
marriage, therefore, it is legal; Mass. became
first US state to allow same sex marriage in
May 2004
22. Amending the state constitution
Amendments to the constitution may be introduced by
any House or Senate member (legislative amendment)
or by a petition signed by 3% of the total votes cast for
governor in the last state election, which must be at least
25,000 qualified voters, and that is presented in a joint
session of the General Court.
If it is approved by two successive sessions (one
session=one calendar year) of the legislature, the
amendment is then submitted to the voters at the next
general election.
Anti-gay marriage amendment?? Unlikely
