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Your Government |
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Massachusetts Government: Executive Branch
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The executive branch manages the business of the Commonwealth.
Governor:
Is the chief executive officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Prepares a state budget
Can veto or reduce a budget item
Can veto bills
Writes and asks for amendments to bills
Presides over the Governor's Council with no vote
Appoints judges
Grants pardons
Appoints department heads and members of boards and commissions. Serves
as commander-in-chief of Massachusetts National Guard
Salary: $90,000
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Lieutenant Governor:
Presides in the event of absence, death or disability of governor.
Assists in administration of executive agencies
Votes as a member of the Governor's Council; acts as non-voting
president when the governor is absent.
Salary: $75,000
Secretary of
the Commonwealth:
- Is the chief election officer
- Keeps all records and vital statistics of the state
- Salary: $75,000
Attorney General:
- Is the chief law enforcement officer
- Advises and represents the Commonwealth, giving legal opinions and
serving as its lawyer in court
- Oversees the consumer and environmental protection departments
- Is a member of the Massachusetts Bar
- Salary: $80,000
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Treasurer
and Receiver General:
- Collects, takes care of and gives out state funds
- Issues state bonds and decides the investment policy of the state
- Salary: $75,000
Auditor:
- Conducts audits of state funds to make sure they have been given out
legally and accounted for properly.
- Salary $75,000
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All of the above officers are elected to four-year terms
Governor's Council:
In colonial times this executive council was established to act as a check
on the governor, who was appointed by the English Crown. The council has eight elected
members in addition to the lieutenant governor. Members are elected for two-year terms.
The council approves the governor's judicial appointments and pardons, as well as
expenditures from the treasury, including purchases of land.
Salary: $15,600
Governor's Cabinet:
These dozen or so executive administrators oversee the operations of the
departments of Massachusetts and advise the governor. They are appointed by the governor
and accountable to him or her.
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