People often ask GOAL how things happen in the State House in such a “lockstep” manner. Well here is why.

Part 1. Leadership Stipends

According to previously reported 2025 payroll figures, approximately $5.4 million was paid in legislative leadership stipends to 149 of the Commonwealth’s 200 lawmakers. The reported recipients included all 40 senators and 109 of 160 representatives.

All Massachusetts Legislators (House & Senate) make a base salary of approximately $82,046. The annual payoffs (stipends) range from $30,207 to $119,632.

Like a lot of corruption, the power comes from payoffs.

Both the House Speaker and the Senate President appoint leadership roles, committee chairs, and vice chairs. All these positions rely on strict compliance with no questions asked. Simply put, if a leader of chair does not fulfill the will of the Speaker or Senate President they will be removed from a leadership position. This could result in a substantial salary cut, most equaling more than half their base salary. 

What leadership positions can pay: Annual additional compensation above base salary.

House Speaker / Senate President - $119,632

Ways and Means chair - $97,201

Majority / Minority leader - $89,724

President / Speaker pro tempore - $74,770

Assistant leadership positions - $52,339

House division chair / designated major committee chair - $44,862

Ways and Means vice chair - $44,862

Other committee chair / selected vice chair - $22,431

Other committee vice chair - $7,776

Amounts are rounded and reflect previously reported adjusted 2025–2026 stipend levels; statutory categories and eligibility rules are in Chapter 3, Section 9B. [2]

Part 2. Annual Budget Add Ons

 

During the annual Massachusetts state budget process the proposed budget that originates from each Committee on Ways & Means (Their Ways & Means Chair stipend more than double their salary). The Chairs of which answer directly to the Speaker or Senate President. Currently the state budget totals around $65 Billion, of which somewhere between 50% - 60% goes to “Health and Human Services.”

 

During the, so-called, budget debates most legislators will file amendments to the proposed budget for their favorite causes. This might be a local school or road project, or something like a favored special interest. For the Speaker or Senate President to even consider these requests, a legislator can’t be seen as being unruly or insubordinate. It is incredibly common for legislators to back down on an issue for fear they will lose their budget requests.

 

 

References and verification

[1] Massachusetts legislative stipend reporting, 2025 payroll figures. Verify recipient counts and aggregate $5.4 million against Massachusetts CTHRU and the relevant published reporting.

[2] Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 3, Section 9B (additional legislative compensation): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleI/Chapter3/Section9B

[3] Massachusetts CTHRU payroll transparency portal (individual compensation): https://cthrupayroll.mass.gov/

[4] Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 3, Section 9C (legislative expense allowances): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleI/Chapter3/Section9C

 

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