Jen Benson Announces Series of Policy Papers
First Paper: Economy and Jobs

August 19, 2008 — Jen Benson, candidate for State Representative in the 37th Middlesex District, is releasing the first of four policy papers that she is presenting to outline her positions on the major issues facing the district and the Commonwealth.

"The voters in the district need to know how the candidates stand on the issues, and what specific policies they will support and pursue if elected," said Benson. "As a local elected official I am constantly confronted by the challenges we face as a Commonwealth, and I am running because I want to work towards solutions to those challenges."

Benson is currently the Chair of the Lunenburg School Committee and is the only Democrat running for 37th Middlesex seat.

The first policy paper addresses the issues of the economy and jobs with specific policy proposals in areas of growing the clean energy economy, infrastructure investment, workforce education, and property tax relief.

"It is critical that we work together to strengthen our economy and create jobs in order to move forward as a Commonwealth and not lose ground in the face of rising energy, food, and health care costs," said Benson. "Massachusetts workers are some of the best qualified and educated workers in the country—we need to give them the tools and opportunities they need to succeed."

Benson's plan to grow the clean energy economy builds on the success of the Evergreen Solar factory which opened on July 15th in Devens. The solar panel factory began construction in September of 2007 and will create 700 jobs in the 37th Middlesex District and produce 780,000 solar panels a year when operating at capacity.

Benson has made a video presentation containing the key points of her economy and jobs proposal which is available along with the full policy paper at www.jenbenson.org.

Benson will present additional policy position papers on the environment, healthcare, and education in the coming weeks leading up to the election on November 4th.

The 37th Middlesex District includes Acton (precincts 3, 4 and 5), Boxborough, Harvard, Lancaster (precinct 1), Lunenburg and Shirley. The seat has been held since 2002 by Representative James Eldridge (D-Acton) who is running for the Middlesex and Worcester state senate seat.

More information on Benson's campaign and the economy and jobs policy paper can be found at www.jenbenson.org.