Massachusetts General Court
| Massachusetts General Court | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 3, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Karen Spilka (D) |
| House Speaker: | Ronald Mariano (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Cynthia Stone Creem (D) House: Michael Moran (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Bruce Tarr (R) House: Bradley Jones, Jr. (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 40 (Senate), 160 (House) |
| Length of term: | 2 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Chapter 1, Massachusetts Constitution |
| Salary: | $73,655.01/year |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | Massachusetts Legislature has control |
The Massachusetts General Court (formally styled, The Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases. Before the adoption of the state constitution in 1780, it was called the "Great and General Court," but the official title was shortened by John Adams, author of the constitution. It is a bicameral body. The upper house is the Massachusetts State Senate which is composed of 40 members. The lower body, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, has 160 members. Before 1978, it had 240 members.[1] The General Court was established in 1630 when the Massachusetts Bay Colony obtained a new charter. It meets in the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts.
State Senators and Representatives both serve two-year terms.[2]
Massachusetts has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate
There are 40 senatorial districts in Massachusetts, named for the counties in which they are located.
As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state senators represented an average of 175,837 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 163,991 residents.
| Party | As of May 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 36 | |
| Republican Party | 4 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the Massachusetts State Senate in 1958. In 2022, they won a 37-3 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Massachusetts Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Massachusetts State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 31 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 37 | 37 |
| Republicans | 9 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
House of Representatives
Representative districts are named for the primary county in which they are located, and tend to stay within one county, although some districts contain portions of adjacent counties.
As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state representatives represented an average of 43,959 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 40,998 residents.
| Party | As of May 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 133 | |
| Republican Party | 25 | |
| Independent | 1 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 160 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1954. In 2022, they won a 134-25-1 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Massachusetts House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Massachusetts House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 124 | 125 | 124 | 131 | 137 | 136 | 139 | 141 | 143 | 128 | 131 | 125 | 125 | 127 | 129 | 134 |
| Republicans | 35 | 34 | 35 | 28 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 32 | 29 | 35 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 25 |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Elections
2024
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary is September 3, 2024. The filing deadline is May 28, 2024.[3]
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary is September 3, 2024. The filing deadline is May 28, 2024.[4]
2022
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.[5]
Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.[5]
2018
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2018. The semi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2018. The semi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.
2016
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.
2014
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014.
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012.
Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010., and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents.
Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents.
Sessions
The Massachusetts Constitution contains provisions regarding when the General Court is to meet. This subject has been the focus of several amendments to the Constitution. Originally, Chapter 1 of the Massachusetts Constitution called for the General Court to convene on the last Wednesday of May. Then, Amending Article X called for legislative sessions to convene yearly on the first Wednesday of January. Later, Amending Article LXXII called for the General Court to meet once every two years, but Amending Article LXXV repealed that amendment. Therefore, the rules that govern when the General Court is to meet are in Amending Article X.
Article X calls for the General Court to convene its regular session on the first Wednesday of January. The session does not dissolve until a new regular session convenes in the next year. Article X specifies that it does not prevent the General Court from meeting at any time that it judges necessary.[6]
2024
In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on July 31, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on November 15, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2022, and adjourn on August 1, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on January 4, 2022. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 1, 2020, and adjourn on January 5, 2021.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Massachusetts were made. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2019, through December 31, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through July 31, 2018 (formal) 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through November 15, 2017. The legislature held an informal session from November 16, 2017, to January 2, 2018. 2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through July 31. Major issues in 2016Major issues in the 2016 legislative session included charter schools, energy, early education, and taxes.[7] 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2015, through January 5, 2016. Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the state budget deficit.[8] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through August 1. Major issues in 2014Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included the minimum wage, unemployment insurance reform, gun control, and assisted suicide.[9][10] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 2 to December 31. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included revenue shortfalls, transportation financing, firearm regulation, and health care costs.[11] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session starting January 4 through July 31. Major issues in 2012Leading the agenda was the regulation of special education collaboratives in the state. Other issues included controlling health costs and a sentencing bill that would bar parole for prisoners convicted of more than two violent crimes.[12] In August 2012, Sen. Mike Rush (D) and Rep. Ed Coppinger (D) wrote a list of legislative accomplishments from the session. Among the major policy items addressed were the passage of balanced FY 2012 and 2013 state budgets, a health care cost containment bill, strategic economic development legislation, and the legalization of casino gaming.[13] 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 5 through November 16. 2010In 2010, the legislature convened its session on January 6th, and it remained in session throughout 2010. |
Role in state budget
- See also: Massachusetts state budget and finances
Massachusetts on 
|
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[14]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in mid-November of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature on the fourth Wednesday in January.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Massachusetts is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[14][15]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[14]
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by the governor.[16]
State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[16]
2020
Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state's new legislative maps into law on November 4, 2021.[17] The state House passed the maps by a vote of 158-1 on October 21, 2021. The state Senate approved the legislative plans on October 27, 2021 by a vote of 36-3. The legislature began consideration of the state's redistricting plans on October 19, 2021.[18] These maps took effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections.
After the redistricting plans were enacted, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin (D) issued a statement expressing concern regarding how the maps would be implemented: "I am extremely disappointed that these bills were signed into law in their current form and I think it is a devastating blow to the voters of Massachusetts. With local precincts divided multiple ways, it will inevitably lead to chaos at the polls and make it impossible for voters to understand who their elected representatives are."[19] After the legislature approved the maps, State Sen. William Brownsberger (D) said, "It’s a quality final product. We have used every minute we’ve had to keep vetting, to keep adjusting . . . and to respond to input that we’ve received."[20]
2010
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Massachusetts experienced a 3.1 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2010. Specifically, the population rose from approximately 6.35 million to 6.55 million. However, the nation as a whole saw a population increase of 9.7 percent, a much faster rate than Massachusetts. Massachusetts lost a Congressional seat as a result of the relatively slow growth.[21][22][23]
The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting conducted the redistricting process.[24] Some towns petitioned for having one representative, rather than being split between two state legislative districts.[25] Other citizen groups expressed strong interests in having more minority-majority districts.[26][27] In October 2011, the Committee produced and approved a map that increased the number of minority-majority districts in the state house from ten to twenty, and consolidated the town of Lexington into one state house district.[28][29]
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $73,655.01/year | No per diem is paid. |
Swearing in dates
Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.[30]
District maps
State Senate