Massachusetts
State services
To address the continuing threat of terrorism and to work with the federal Department of Homeland Security (created in 2002 following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001), homeland security in Massachusetts in 2003 operated under the authority of the governor; activities were overseen by the homeland security director.
State services are provided through the 12 executive offices and major departments that constitute the governor's cabinet. The heads of these departments are appointed by the governor. The Ethics in Massachusetts State Government organization distributes information on state government scandals.
Educational services are administered by the Executive Office of Education. Included under its jurisdiction are the State Board of Education and Board of Regents of Higher Education, the Massachusetts community college and state college systems, the University of Massachusetts, the Council of the Arts and Humanities, and the State Library.
The Executive Office of Transportation and Construction supervises the Department of Public Works and has responsibility for the planning and development of transportation systems within the state, including the Massachusetts Port Authority, the Massachusetts Highway Department, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission.
All public health, mental health, youth, and veterans' programs are administered by the Executive Office of Health &
Massachusetts Presidential Vote by Political Party, 1948–2000
| YEAR | ELECTORAL VOTE | MASSACHUSETTS WINNER | DEMOCRAT | REPUBLICAN | SOCIALIST LABOR | PROGRESSIVE |
| *Won US presidential election. | ||||||
| 1948 | 16 | *Truman (D) | 1,151,788 | 909,370 | 5,535 | 38,157 |
| 1952 | 16 | *Eisenhower (R) | 1,083,525 | 1,292,325 | 1,957 | 4,636 |
| 1956 | 16 | *Eisenhower (R) | 948,190 | 1,393,197 | 5,573 | — |
| 1960 | 16 | *Kennedy (D) | 1,487,174 | 976,750 | 3,892 | — |
| 1964 | 14 | *Johnson (D) | 1,786,422 | 549,727 | 4,755 | — |
| AMERICAN IND. | ||||||
| 1968 | 14 | Humphrey (D) | 1,469,218 | 766,844 | 6,180 | 87,088 |
| SOC. WORKERS | AMERICAN | |||||
| 1972 | 14 | McGovern (D) | 1,332,540 | 1,112,078 | 10,600 | 2,877 |
| 1976 | 14 | *Carter (D) | 1,429,475 | 1,030,276 | 8,138 | 7,555 |
| LIBERTARIAN | ||||||
| 1980 | 14 | *Reagan (R) | 1,048,562 | 1,054,213 | 21,311 | — |
| 1984 | 13 | *Reagan | 1,239,600 | 1,310,936 | — | — |
| NEW ALLIANCE | ||||||
| 1988 | 13 | Dukakis (D) | 1,401,415 | 1,194,635 | 24,251 | 9,561 |
| IND. (PEROT) | ||||||
| 1992 | 12 | *Clinton (D) | 1,318,639 | 805,039 | 9,021 | 630,731 |
| 1996 | 12 | *Clinton (D) | 1,571,763 | 718,107 | 20,426 | 227,217 |
| GREEN | ||||||
| 2000 | 12 | Gore (D) | 1,616,487 | 878,502 | 16,366 | 173,564 |
Human Services. Also under its jurisdiction are the Department of Public Health and the Department of Correction. The Executive Office of Public Safety includes the Division of Civil Defense, Registry of Motor Vehicles, and Highway Safety Bureau.
The Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation regulates state standards and registers professional workers. The Department of Public Utilities and Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission are also part of this office, as are the divisions regulating banks and insurance. Housing services are provided through the Executive Office of Communities and Development. This office administers the Massachusetts Home Mortgage Finance Agency, the Housing Finance Agency, and the Bureaus of Housing Development and of Housing Management and Tenant Services.
The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs protects the state's marine and wildlife, and monitors the quality of its air, water, and food. Labor and industrial relations are monitored through the Executive Office of Labor, whose Department of Labor and Industries administers the minimum wage law, occupational safety laws, and child labor laws, among others. The Executive Office of Economic Affairs helps to improve the economic climate in the state and promotes exports and tourism. The Department of Elder Affairs plans and implements programs for the elderly, including nutrition, home care, and education programs.