Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll (center right) talks with MMA President and Lexington Select Board Member Jill Hai (far left), MMA Vice President and Waltham City Councillor John McLaughlin (center left) and MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine (far right) on Sept. 12, 2023 following a meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission.
The MMA is active on legislative issues, executive branch decisions, and occasionally state-level court cases. The MMA reviews 3,000 pieces of legislation per year and testifies on about 100 bills.
The MMA’s work results in more than $5 billion from the state each year in municipal and education aid to every city and town.
The MMA was the prime driver behind municipal health insurance reform, which saves cities and towns more than $250 million per year.
The MMA advocacy program is based on the work of policy committees comprised of local officials. Municipal priorities are endorsed by local officials at the MMA’s Annual Meeting each January.
The Local Government Advisory Commission, including most of the MMA Board of Directors, meets regularly with top administration officials to discuss issues facing cities and towns and to pursue a strengthening of the state-local partnership.
The MMA’s Legislative Division:
The MMA files testimony on municipal issues with legislators and legislative committees, the administration, and state agencies.
The MMA organizes and staffs policy committees that review and develop positions on local government activities that are the subject of state and federal government interest.
For each legislative session, the MMA files a slate of bills recommended by the MMA’s five policy committees and endorsed by the MMA Board of Directors.
The MMA Executive Director writes a monthly column on timely municipal matters in each issue of The Beacon.
The MMA’s membership meets in January each year to adopt resolutions that guide the association’s advocacy efforts and identify municipal priorities and positions on key issues. These resolutions are generated by the association’s policy committees.
The MMA’s policies, adopted by the membership, guide the staff, Board of Directors, and representatives of the association in their work, including actions of the Board on specific legislative proposals.
Important Links
Massachusetts Legislature
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Governor’s office
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