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 known as the Executive Council) is a special group that helps the Governor of Massachusetts. They give advice and approve important decisions. These decisions include choosing judges, granting pardons, and changing prison sentences.

People in Massachusetts vote for the members of this Council. Their jobs and powers are written in the Massachusetts Constitution. The Governor's Council has changed a lot over time. It has been a legal advisor, a group of judges, and even acted as the leader when there was no Governor. It was also once part of the state's lawmaking body, 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 New England politics. It has been around since the first days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Becoming a Council Member

To join the Massachusetts Governor's Council, a person must meet certain rules. These rules help make sure the members are good leaders.

• They must be at least 18 years old.
• They need to be a registered voter in Massachusetts.
• They must have lived in Massachusetts for at least five years before being elected.
• They need to collect 1,000 signatures from registered voters on special forms.

History of the Council

The Governor's Council has a long and interesting history. It started in the early days of the Massachusetts colony.

Early Colonial Beginnings

The Massachusetts Bay Colony got its first official document, called a royal charter, in 1629. This happened when Boston was founded. Governor John Winthrop and many Puritan settlers arrived in 1630. The colony was run based on this charter.

The charter created a "council of assistants." These assistants were like judges. They made decisions in legal cases and helped create laws for the colony. The colony's free citizens, called freemen, elected these assistants.

Changes After 1684

The colony's first charter was taken away in 1684. For a short time, there was a larger area called the Dominion of New England (1686-1689). After that, the Province of Massachusetts Bay was formed, which included modern Massachusetts and Maine.

The new charter for the province said there would be "eight and twenty assistants, or counsellors." Their job was to advise and help the governor. The Great and General Court chose them every year. This 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 the Council sometimes disagreed. The Council often supported the colonists' interests, which were different from the King's interests. The Council also had power to approve military officers in the militia.

Loss of Judicial Power

The 1691 Massachusetts Charter took away the Council's power to make judicial rulings. They could still "advise and consent," but they no longer heard appeals. Appeals were handled by local courts. 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.

Role During the Revolution

During the American Revolution, Massachusetts used the 1691 charter. However, there was no governor. The Council then acted as the main executive power for the state.

How the Council is Set Up

The Council has eight members, called councillors. The governor or lieutenant governor leads the Council meetings. The Massachusetts Constitution says the governor leads, and if the governor is not there, the lieutenant governor leads. The leader does not vote in the Council.

The eight councillors are elected 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 state house of representatives nominated members, and the state senate elected them. In 1854, the state constitution changed. This change made the Council an elected position open to all state residents.

The Council districts have changed over time. Now, each district is made up of five complete Massachusetts Senate districts.

If a Council seat becomes empty, 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 Council members.

What the Council Does

The Council usually meets at noon on Wednesdays. 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 approval on several things. These include:

• Choosing judicial officers (judges).
• Appointing and removing notaries public and justices of the peace.
• Issuing pardons (forgiving crimes) and commutations (reducing sentences).
• Approving payments of money from the state treasury.

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

Council's Role in Leadership Changes

The Massachusetts Constitution used to say the Governor's Council would take over if the Governor and Lieutenant Governor were both unable to serve.

Historical Succession Cases

This happened three times during the colonial period. After Massachusetts became a state, it happened only once. When Governor Increase Sumner died in 1799, Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill became Acting Governor. When Gill died in 1800, the Council, led by Thomas Dawes, took over as the state's executive.

Modern Succession Rules

In 1918, the rules for who takes over changed. The Council was removed from the line of succession. Now, if the Governor and Lieutenant Governor cannot serve, other state officials take over. These are the secretary, attorney-general, treasurer, and auditor, in that order.

Elections for the Council

People in Massachusetts vote for the members of the Governor's Council.

• 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