A Guide to Government Websites in Massachusetts "The Bay State"

Welcome to Massachusetts! - A guide for new residents provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Includes information on Residency, Voter Registration, Automobiles, Tax Structure, Licenses and Permits, Transportation, Education, and general information about Massachusetts.

State and Federal Toll Free Numbers - Provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, this site has many helpful numbers, including (but NOT limited to) the Commission for the Blind, Food stamps, the Department of Public Safety, the Peace Corp, and Social Security.

Massachusetts Legal Holidays - A three year Legal Holiday Calendar provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Labor restrictions and Suffolk County Holidays are included.

Senate- Members listed alphabetically with bios and contact information.

• Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts - "The Supreme Judicial Court, originally called the Superior Court of Judicature, was established in 1692 and is the oldest appellate court in continuous existence in the Western Hemisphere."
  

• Appeals Court of Massachusetts - "Created in 1972, the Appeals Court is a court of general appellate jurisdiction."

State Agencies - "This page provides an alphabetical listing by keyword of branches of government, Constitutional offices, and the departments under them, and provides links to those with websites."

The State Library of Massachusetts- "The George Fingold Library, State House Room 341, Boston, MA 02133 - The State Library has maintained a position of vital importance in the State House since its formal establishment in 1826. Starting from a collection of maps, statute books, and government documents, the Library has grown into a multifaceted resource for legislators, executive personnel, state employees, historians, genealogists, and interested citizens."  

Massachusetts Library and Information Network - "MLIN serves as a gateway to a variety of information about libraries in Massachusetts. Directory information, library homepages and special services provided by libraries can be found here."

Massachusetts Department of Education - Extensive information is available on administration, finance/grants, PK-16 program support, and information services.

• School Choice Program - "The school choice program allows parents to send their children to schools in communities other than the city or town in which they reside. Tuition is paid by the sending district to the receiving district. Districts may elect not to enroll school choice students if no space is available."

Public Records Division - Includes a guide to Massachusetts Public Records Law, information on how to become a Notary Public, Massachusetts lobbyist and employer search system with statistics by category, procedures to perform a marriage, and links to both the State Records Center and campaign finance information.

Massachusetts State Police - Includes information about the police academy, crime lab, crime statistics, firearms licensing, missing persons, safety, scams, special units, wanted persons, and contact information.

Commonwealth Communities - "Commonwealth Communities is your resource for finding information on the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Each Community page, which you can find alphabetically or by county, has links to information provided by state agencies. You can find public school and Community profiles, summaries of municipal finances, state legislators, regional offices for a variety of state agencies, and more. Also included are links to official city/town and public school websites, and other Community sites that provide substantial civic information."

Unincorporated and Unofficial Names of Massachusetts Communities - "The Secretary of the Commonwealth has a page for Unincorporated and Unofficial Names of Massachusetts Communities that will tell you the official city or town other communities are part of."

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation - Division of State Parks and Recreation - "Find recreation facilities at State Forests and Parks, brochures, seasonal information, fees and passes, park directions and campground reservations"

Massachusetts Maps - Includes city and town, county, congressional district, and area code maps. Site is provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The History of the Arms and Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

State House Trivia Quiz - A ten question challenge with two hints per questions.

Massachusetts Fun Facts from the Interactive State House - Hilarious website devoted to Massachusetts. Includes State Nicknames, State Folk Song (which can be played), State Animals, State Insects, State Plants, and State Foods.

Massachusetts Fun Facts - Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 and 1990 Census of Population and Housing.