A graduate of Boston Latin School, Speaker Finneran attended Northeastern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance. In 1978, he received his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar that same year.

During his service at both the House Ways and Means Committee and as Speaker, Tom Finneran has consistently promoted the idea of making annual deposits of excess funds. He led the House in establishing the Rainy Day Fund, a state savings account to cushion declines in the economy. He has convinced the House to annually deposit excess revenue into this fund, and it totaled $2.3 billion when first tapped in response to the lingering recession.

Among his other accomplishments as Speaker, Tom Finneran is particularly proud of doubling the number of full day kindergarten classes in the Commonwealth and dramatically increasing early childhood literacy programs. In addition, Speaker Finneran recently led several dozen legislators in an effort to develop a comprehensive package to preserve and produce affordable housing in the Commonwealth. The Speaker also established a Lyceum Lecture Series. Distinguished leaders from all walks of life, including government, academic, business, cultural and literary circles have been invited to address the Massachusetts House of Representatives during a full formal session.

Speaker Finneran sets a standard for a House of Representatives that operates with integrity, civility, truthfulness and candor. He believes in and is a practitioner of the ideal that public employment is an honorable profession, which carries with it an immense responsibility to the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Speaker Finneran lives in Mattapan with his wife Donna and their two daughters, Kelley and Shannon. The Speaker is a recreational gardener, and enjoys biking, swimming, reading, and spending time with his family.