March 23, 2010 — Press Release

LUNENBURG — State Representative Jen Benson of Lunenburg today announced that she will be running for re-election to represent the 37th Middlesex District. Benson was elected in 2008 and has served the district for just over a year.

"My highest priority is helping the residents in my district who have been hit hard by the recession," said Benson. "The economy is showing signs of recovery, but working families and small businesses continue to suffer. I will continue to focus on creating jobs and providing support for the small businesses that are our economy's engines of growth."

Benson's first days in office were heavily influenced by the devastating ice storm in December of 2008, a month before she took office. She spent her days in the Lunenburg Emergency Operation Center and in conference calls with utilities and emergency management officials. "I requested placement on the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy committee and helped write and pass a law to protect utility consumers and hold utility companies accountable," said Benson. "I am currently working to pass a law which makes it easier for towns to form their own municipal utility companies."

Benson said that her experience as a local elected official in Lunenburg has helped her build strong relationships with the Boards of Selectmen, Finance Committees, and School Committees in each of the towns in the district. "It is critical that the towns have someone to fight for their interests at the state level, whether it is for a home rule petition for a sewer system, or fighting for local aid," said Benson. Benson recently helped the town of Shirley obtain funding to regionalize their school system and worked with constituents and other legislators in Acton to get the MBTA to rework a plan for changes to the South Acton commuter rail station.

Benson has taken tough votes against the majority and against House leadership in her first session. "I voted against the 2009 budget last summer because of the unfair cuts to local aid," said Benson. "I was not a popular person on Beacon Hill, but it was the right thing to do for my district."

Benson and her Legislative Aide Katie Green spend countless hours helping constituents and district businesses with issues. "We have worked with constituents and businesses on over 1,700 issues ranging from home foreclosure to state business grants," said Benson. "Helping people solve problems is the most satisfying part of the job."