Massachusetts state representatives
perform the duties of their job at the State House.
The government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is framed after the U.S. government, with three equal branches: executive, legislative and judicial. The Massachusetts General Court is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Massachusetts state representatives serve two-year terms for as long as they are re-elected by the people in the district they represent.
Eligibility
Candidates for Massachusetts state representative must meet eligibility requirements as outlined by the state secretary. A House member must be 18 years of age or older, a U.S. citizen and a registered voter. Candidates must live in the district they wish to represent at least one year prior to the election date. They also must obtain the certified signatures of at least 150 people who are registered to vote in that district.
Salary
Massachusetts state representatives earned a starting salary of $61,440 as of 2009. Leadership positions may provide a representative with a higher salary. In addition to the salary, Massachusetts representatives receive a per diem allowance ranging from $10 to $100, depending on how far from the State House they live.
Primary Duties
As members of the legislative branch, Massachusetts state representatives draft and pass legislation. The Massachusetts Constitution grants members of the legislature the power to "make, ordain and establish" different "laws, statutes and ordinances" as long as they don't violate any statutes within the state constitution. Massachusetts state representatives may also present legislation written by citizens on the floor for consideration. Members of the House of Representatives also communicate with federal legislators to ensure they vote for legislation that represents the interests of Massachusetts citizens. Whenever state representatives recruit businesses to their districts, meet with foreign heads of state, or even the president of the United States, they represent the citizens of their district.
Constitutional Duties
The Massachusetts Constitution gives state representatives the power to investigate and bring impeachment charges against officers of the Commonwealth for misconduct. Just as with the U.S. Congress, it is the Senate that tries impeachment cases. State representatives are also responsible for all money bills. Although the governor must recommend all appropriations bills, they must originate in the House of Representatives.
Surprising Fact
Massachusetts state representatives have constitutional authority to imprison any person disrespecting the House of Representatives or exhibiting "disorderly or contemptuous" behavior, except a member of the House of Representatives. Representatives may imprison any person threatening the House of Representatives as a body, or individual members for doing their job as a representative. Article X of Chapter I, Section III of the state constitution allows Massachusetts state representatives to imprison any person who assaults or arrests any representative or person required to "attend the house" while going to or from the House of Representatives. No person can be imprisoned for more than 30 days on these offenses.
