1990 Massachusetts elections

• Scott Harshbarger, Middlesex County District Attorney
• James Shannon, incumbent Attorney General and former U.S. Representative from Lowell

• Guy Carbone
• William C. Sawyer

• Barbara F. Ahearn (Independent High Tech)
• Michael J. Connolly, incumbent Secretary since 1979 (Democratic)
• Paul McCarthy (Republican)

• William F. Galvin, State Representative from Allston–Brighton, Boston
• George Keverian, Speaker of the Massachusetts House and State Representative from Everett
• Dick Kraus, State Senator from Arlington

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution – The proposed constitutional amendment would repeal the constitutional provision that a state census be taken and used as the basis for determining state representative, senatorial, and councilor districts. The proposed constitutional amendment would provide that the federal census shall be the basis for determining such districts.[12]

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law sought to place restrictions on the State’s use of consultants. It sought various limits on the amount of profit, overhead charges and expenses that the State could pay consultants. The duration of consultant contracts was for two years and any extension to one year, and such contracts could be changed only if payments exceeded the original contract. The proposed initiative sought to limit to $100,000 the amount the State could pay on a consultant contract with an individual and would require all other consultant contracts in excess of $25,000 to be awarded through competitive bidding. It sought to prohibit consultants from supervising State employees, and it would limit the use of consultants as substitutes for State employee positions.[13]

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – The proposed initiative would have changed the state income tax rate, affected language contained in certain tax provisions, and regulated the setting of fees by state agencies and authorities.[14]

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – This proposed initiative sought to change the state election laws governing the establishment of political parties and the nomination of candidates.[15]

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – This proposed initiative sought to regulate the distribution to cities and towns of the Local Aid Fund, which consists of at least 40% of the revenue generated by the state income, sales, and corporate taxes, as well as the balance of the State Lottery Fund.[16]