The Massachusetts Governor's Council (also known as the Executive Council) is a governmental body that provides advice and consent in certain matters – such as judicial nominations, pardons, and commutations – to the Governor of Massachusetts. Councillors are elected by the general public and their duties are set forth in the Massachusetts Constitution.
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Composition
The Council is composed of eight councillors and the governor or lieutenant governor, who presides over the Council. The Massachusetts Constitution specifies that "the governor, and in his absence the lieutenant governor, shall be president of the council, but shall have no vote in council: and the lieutenant governor shall always be a member of the council except when the chair of the governor shall be vacant."[2]
The eight councillors are elected every two years, one each from eight councillor districts.[3] The Governor's Council districts are specially composed. Each district consists of the entirety of five contiguous Massachusetts Senate districts.
There are provisions in the Massachusetts Constitution for filling unexpected vacancies. If a seat on the Council becomes vacant, the General Court may, by concurrent vote, select some person from the relevant councillor district to fill the opening.[4] If the General Court is not in session, the Governor may select the new councillor, with the advice and consent of the existing Council.
Duties
The Council generally meets at noon on Wednesdays in its State House Chamber, next to the Governor's Office. Pursuant to the Massachusetts Constitution, the Governor may, in general and at his discretion, from time to time assemble the Council for the ordering and directing the affairs of the commonwealth.[5] In addition, the Governor must seek the advice and consent of the Council with respect to nominations of judicial officers,[6] appointment and removal of notaries public and justices of the peace,[7] issuance of pardons and commutations,[8] and payment of monies from the treasury.[9]
Annual compensation is $26,025.[10]
Outside conduct also has drawn scrutiny. Felony charges were dismissed in July, 2008 against one councillor.[11] In the 2008 election, another councillor (Kelly A. Timilty) falsified the endorsement of the governor and later was fined. [12] The 2008 election generated higher than usual interest in Council seats,[10] but all of the incumbents were reelected.[13]
Historical role in gubernatorial succession
Originally, the Massachusetts Constitution placed the Governor's Council in the line of executive succession. If the offices of governor and Lieutenant Governor simultaneously were vacant, the Council would act as chief executive.[14] This occurred four times, the last being in 1800, when its chairman was Thomas Dawes. The constitutional line of succession subsequently was amended to remove the Council and insert the "secretary, attorney-general, treasurer and receiver-general, and auditor," in that order.[15]
Current Councillors
| District | Councillor |
|---|---|
| First | Carole A. Fiola |
| Second | Kelly A. Timilty |
| Third | Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney |
| Fourth | Christopher A. Iannella |
| Fifth | Mary-Ellen Manning |
| Sixth | Michael J. Callahan |
| Seventh | Thomas J. Foley |
| Eighth | Thomas Merrigan |
References
- ^ As provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth web page (last visited 9/8/2007).
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 2, art. 2.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 3, arts. 1 & 2, as amended by art. XIV.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 3, art. 7, as amended by art. XXV.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 1, art. 4.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 1, art. 9, as amended.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, Articles of Amendment, Arts. IV & XXXVII.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 1, art. 8, as amended by art. LXXIII
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, pt. II, c. 2, § 1, art. 11, as amended.
- ^ a b Preer, Robert (Sept. 7, 2008). "Few free rides for Governor's Council seats". Boston Globe. pp. 1.
- ^ Pazzanese, Christina (Aug. 1, 2008). "Governor's councilor apologizes; felony assault charges dismissed; No admission to hitting clerk". Boston Globe. pp. B2.
- ^ Viser, Matt (Nov. 25, 2008). "Falsified endorsement costs politician $8,000". Boston Globe. pp. B1.
- ^ Massachusetts Secretary of State, 2008 Return of Votes, at 3-4 (last visited Jan. 3, 2009).
- ^ Massachusetts Constitition, pt. II, c. 2, § 3, art. VI.
- ^ Massachusetts Constitution, Articles of Amendment art. LV.
External links
- Official site via Mass.gov
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Stoughton (Acting Governor, died) |
Acting Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony July 10, 1701 – June 11, 1702 |
Succeeded by Joseph Dudley |
| Preceded by Joseph Dudley |
Acting Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony February 4, 1715 – March 21, 1715 |
Succeeded by Joseph Dudley |
| Preceded by Spencer Phips (Acting Governor, died) |
Acting Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony April 5, 1757 – August 3, 1757 |
Succeeded by Thomas Pownall |
| Preceded by Moses Gill (Acting Governor, died) |
Acting Governor of Massachusetts May 20, 1800 – May 30, 1800 |
Succeeded by Caleb Strong (elected governor) |
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