Massachusetts Governor's Council facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Massachusetts Governor's Council Executive Council
Great Seal of Massachusetts
Government of Massachusetts
Reports to	Governor of Massachusetts
Residence	None official
Seat	State House, Boston, Massachusetts
Nominator	Nominating petition
Appointer	Popular vote
Term length	Two years, no term limits
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Massachusetts
Formation	Original Charter March 18, 1629 Modern Form October 25, 1780
Website	https://www.mass.gov/orgs/governors-council

The Massachusetts Governor's Council (also called the Executive Council) is a special group that helps the Governor of Massachusetts. They give advice and agree on important decisions. These decisions include choosing judges, granting pardons (forgiving someone for a crime), and changing prison sentences.

People vote for the councillors who serve on this group. Their jobs and responsibilities are written in the Massachusetts Constitution. The Governor's Council has changed a lot over time. It has been a legal team, a group of judges, and even acted as the leader when there was no Governor. Sometimes, it was like an upper house (a part of the legislature) for the Massachusetts General Court.

No matter its name, like "Council of Assistants" or Governor's Council, its power has changed. But it has always been an important part of government in New England. It has been around since the very first colonial days of Massachusetts Bay.

Becoming a Councillor

To become a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council, a person must meet certain rules:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a registered voter in Massachusetts.
• Have lived in Massachusetts for at least five years when elected.
• Get 1,000 signatures from registered voters on official papers.

Council History

The Massachusetts Bay Colony started with a royal charter in 1629. This happened when Boston was founded, after Governor John Winthrop and many Puritan settlers arrived in 1630. The colony's government followed this charter. It created a "council of assistants." These assistants were like judges who also helped make laws for the colony. People called "freemen" (citizens with certain rights) voted for these assistants.

After the first charter was canceled in 1684, there was a short period called the Dominion of New England. Then came the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which covered modern Massachusetts and Maine. The new charter for this province said there would be "eight and twenty assistants, or counsellors." Their job was to advise the governor. The Great and General Court chose them each year.

The charter also said the council would take over if both the royal governor and lieutenant governor were away. It listed specific topics where the council had to advise the governor. During this time, the governor and council sometimes disagreed. This was because the council represented the colonists' interests, which were different from the king's interests. The Council also approved military officers for the militia.

The 1691 Massachusetts Charter took away the council's power to make judicial rulings. They still gave "advice and consent," but they no longer heard appeals. Local courts handled appeals. Very large legal cases (over 300 Pounds sterling) went to the King's Privy Council in England. Other appointments were also taken from the Council and given to the General Court.

During the American Revolution, Massachusetts operated without a governor. The council acted as the main leader of the state. The current Constitution of Massachusetts was adopted in 1780.

Who is in the Council?

The Council has eight councillors. The governor, or the lieutenant governor when the governor is away, leads the Council meetings. The Massachusetts Constitution says the governor is the president of the council but does not vote. The lieutenant governor is always a member, unless the governor's position is empty.

People vote for the eight councillors every two years. Each councillor represents one of eight special districts. They do not have to live in the district they represent. In the past, the house of representatives nominated members, and the state senate elected them. In 1854, the state constitution changed. This made the council an elected position open to all state residents. The districts for the Governor's Council have changed over time. Now, each district includes five full Massachusetts Senate districts.

If a council seat becomes empty unexpectedly, the General Court can choose someone new. They pick a person from that councillor district. If the General Court is not meeting, the Governor can choose a new councillor. This choice needs the approval of the other councillors.

What the Council Does

The Council usually meets on Wednesdays at noon. Their meeting room is in the Massachusetts State House, right next to the Governor's Office. The Massachusetts Constitution says the Governor can call the Council together whenever needed. This is "for the ordering and directing the affairs of the commonwealth."

The Governor must ask the Council for their advice and agreement on several things. These include choosing judicial officers (judges). They also approve the appointment and removal of notaries public and justices of the peace. The Council also advises on giving pardons and commutations (reducing sentences). Finally, they approve payments of money from the state treasury.

In 2016, the yearly pay for a councillor was $36,025.

Who Leads if the Governor is Away?

The Massachusetts Constitution used to say that the Governor's Council would take over if both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor were unable to serve. This happened three times during the colonial period. After Massachusetts became a state, it happened only once.

After Governor Increase Sumner passed away in 1799, Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill became Acting Governor. When he also passed away in 1800, the Council, led by Thomas Dawes, took over as the state's executive.

In 1918, the rules for who takes over changed. The Council was removed from this line of succession. Instead, the secretary, attorney-general, treasurer, and auditor would take over, in that order.

Elections

• 2006 Massachusetts Governor's Council election
• 2022 Massachusetts Governor's Council election
• 2024 Massachusetts Governor's Council election

See also

• New Hampshire Executive Council
• Council of State