February 24, 2009 — Press Release

BOSTON, MA - Rep. Jen Benson, State Representative for the 37th Middlesex District, has been named to serve on three committees for the 2009-2010 legislative session. Benson will serve on the Committee on Education, the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, and the Committee on Personnel and Administration. Benson was also elected by her peers as Vice President of the incoming class of freshmen representatives.

Rep. Benson will use her experience as former member and Chair of the Lunenburg School Committee to work for stronger schools on the Education Committee. She has already introduced a special education reform bill for this legislative session. "I proposed a system for tying funding to students rather than school districts during my campaign and this legislation is the first step toward achieving that goal," said Benson.

Rep. Benson requested membership on the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee after her experience dealing with the aftermath of the December ice storm and the resulting power outages in her district. She will use her position on the Utilities Committee to work toward common sense regulations on utility companies. "The response by Unitil to the power outages in December was unacceptable," said Benson. "The citizens of our Commonwealth expect and deserve public utilities that are prepared for disasters and can restore service in a reasonable amount of time."

The freshman class of Representatives has elected Rep. Benson as Vice President of the class along with President Jim Cantwell (D-Marshfield). "Being elected by my peers of incoming freshman shows their belief in my leadership and ability to assist them in the Legislature," said Benson. "I am honored and humbled by their support."