Massachusetts

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The form of Massachusetts government is provided by the Constitution of the Commonwealth. The legislative power is exercised by the bicameral General Court, which is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The executive power generally is exercised by the Governor, although only after receiving the advice and consent of the Governor's Council with respect to certain subjects. Cities and towns also act through local governmental bodies that possess only the authority granted to them by the Commonwealth over local issues, including limited home rule authority. Most county governments were abolished in the 1990s, although a handful remain.

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Massachusetts Breaking News... Mass. state senator indicted, resigns seat November 20, 2008 Massachusetts State Senator Diane Wilkerson was indicted by a grand jury on November 18 on 8 counts of attempted extortion. Hours before the Senate Ethics Committee was to issue recommendations on her possible expulsion, Wilkerson resigned the seat she has held for nearly 16 years.  » Full story Gov. creates ethics reform task force November 8, 2008 In the wake of recent scandals, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has created a new task force to recommend possible changes to ethics reform laws. The 12 member bipartisan task force will have 60 days to issue its recommendations.  » Full story House speaker cites "legislative immunity" to keep papers secret November 11, 2008 Massachusetts Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi is reportedly citing "legislative immunity" in order to keep documents secret from the Ethics Commission, who filed a court suit to obtain them. Legislative immunity is normally considered to be a protection against prosecution for statements made in an open legislative debate. Massachusetts courts have not ruled on legislative immunity since 1808.  » Full story Obey the law. Timely release of police files is not optional November 12, 2008: Nearly nine months after the Telegram & Gazette requested records regarding citizen complaints against a Worcester police officer, and almost three months after the department accepted payment for the copying, delay that might have been excusable now appears, in fact, to be willful noncompliance with the law. Read the full article here. ...more Massachusetts news

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