June 4, 2009 — Press Release

BOSTON — Wednesday night, Representative Jennifer Benson (D-Lunenburg) joined her colleagues in passing a supplemental budget for the 2009 fiscal year. Benson and other local colleagues successfully lobbied to have critical funding for ice storm relief included in the budget.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already dedicated funds to cover 75% of the storm related costs for the effected towns, but the towns were left to find revenue to cover the remaining 25%. The supplement budget passed on Wednesday allocates enough money to cover another 12.5% of the cleanup costs

"I am glad that my colleagues recognized the importance of providing storm cleanup relief to towns that are struggling to provide basic services like public safety, schools, and road maintenance in this difficult economic climate," said Benson. "I will continue to advocate for the remaining 12.5% in next year's budget."