Government of Massachusetts

Government of Massachusetts
Polity typePresidential republic
Federated state
ConstitutionConstitution of Massachusetts
Legislative branch
NameGeneral Court
TypeBicameral
Meeting placeMassachusetts State House
Upper house
NameSenate
Presiding officerKaren Spilka, President
Lower house
NameHouse of Representatives
Presiding officerRonald Mariano, Speaker
Executive branch
Head of state and government
TitleGovernor
CurrentlyMaura Healey
AppointerElection
Cabinet
Name9 Executive Agencies
LeaderGovernor
Deputy leaderLieutenant Governor
HeadquartersState House
Judicial branch
NameJudiciary of Massachusetts
CourtsCourts of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Chief judgeKimberly S. Budd
SeatSuffolk County Courthouse, Boston

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is governed by a set of political tenets laid down in its state constitution. Legislative power is held by the bicameral General Court, which is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The governor exercises executive power with other independently elected officers: the Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Auditor. The state's judicial power rests in the Supreme Judicial Court, which manages its court system. Cities and towns act through local governmental bodies to the extent that they are authorized by the Commonwealth on local issues, including limited home-rule authority. Although most county governments were abolished during the 1990s and 2000s, a handful remain.

Massachusetts' capital city is Boston. The seat of power is in Beacon Hill, home of the legislative and executive branches. The Supreme Judicial Court is in nearby Pemberton Hill.