Meet Mrs. Benson

Joanne C. Benson was elected in 1991 to The House of Delegates of the Maryland General Assembly to represent Prince George’s County’s 24th Legislative District. In 2011 she was elected to serve as the 24th District’s first female Senator. Senator Benson currently serves in the Senate Leadership as Majority Whip. She is a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, serves on the Joint Committees on Education, Business and Administration, Pensions, Audit and Evaluations, Children, Youth and Families; Ending Homelessness; Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight; and has been appointed to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. She also is a member of the Women Legislators of Maryland and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

Joanne C. Benson was born in Roanoke, Virginia. She is the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. William Claybon. She is one of a patrician line of six --- four sisters and one brother. Her family relocated early on to Hagerstown, Maryland where she attended public schools and graduated from South Hagerstown High School. Mrs. Benson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bowie State University and a Master of Arts Degree from Catholic University. She believes that education is one of the most powerful tools anyone could possess. She is a constant proponent for the strongest quality education for all Prince George’s County’s children.

Read More

Why Mrs. Benson?

Latest News

Need Help with Your Energy Bill? The BGE Customer Relief Fund Is Here for You

Need Help with Your Energy Bill? The BGE Customer Relief Fund Is Here for You

Eligible BGE customers in Central Maryland can now apply for direct energy bill assistance—ranging from $250 to $750—thanks to a special charitable fund supported by Exelon and administered by the United Way of Central Maryland. Even better, the application portal is now open 24/7 for your convenience.

Don’t wait—funds are limited and applications close September 30, 2025 (or when funding runs out).

👉 Apply Now at mdutilityrelief.org

Or learn more about other support options at BGE.com/heretohelp

Apply Today
A New Era for Athletic Field Reservations in Prince George’s County

A New Era for Athletic Field Reservations in Prince George’s County

On January 6, 2025, the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County will officially take over athletic field reservations. These reservations have migrated from Prince George’s County Public Schools to a new, streamlined platform at pgparks.com/fields. This user-friendly system is designed to make booking the county’s high-quality artificial turf fields easier and more efficient than ever.

The new reservation platform is part of a joint agreement with Prince George’s County Public Schools for the construction and operation of athletic field permitting. We encourage you to explore the system today by visiting pgparks.com/fields.

Learn More
Maryland Senate Chamber

2025 END OF SESSION LETTER

On Monday, April 7th, 2025, at 12:00 a.m., the 447th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly ended. I deeply appreciate your input and wonderful unwavering support as we continue to put initiatives into law which will move us onward, upward, and outward. Many decisions in this session were very difficult, such as our overwhelming opposition to internet gambling but with your help, I voted with a focus and firm conviction in protecting our future and interest. While many of our legislative bills did not pass, I am looking forward to reintroducing them next session. This was a fast-paced session which kept us focused and extremely busy. I would like to share legislation and bond bills which directly impact our communities.

Read More
Back-To-School Vaccince Clinics sponsored by PGCPS

Prince George’s County Back‑to‑School Vaccine Clinics

Prince George’s County Public Schools, alongside the Health Department, is hosting FREE Back‑to‑School Vaccine Clinics. Meet County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy and PGCPS Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph at select weekend events with food, backpack giveaways, and family fun.

Weekday clinics run 11:30 AM–6:30 PM and focus on immunizations only. Don’t wait—secure your spot and see what to bring: Click here to schedule your appointment.

Download Flyer
Support for Former Federal Employees: Emergency Loan Program Now Available

Support for Former Federal Employees: Emergency Loan Program Now Available

The Maryland Department of Labor has launched a new Federal Emergency Loan Program to support former federal employees in Maryland who have recently lost their jobs due to layoffs, agency relocations, or closures. This no-interest loan initiative was created under the Protect Our Federal Workers Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore, and aims to provide immediate financial relief to those impacted.

Eligible individuals may apply for a $700 no-interest loan, repayable after 180 days, with a possible 90-day extension. Applicants must be Maryland residents, recently terminated from federal employment on or after January 1, 2025, and currently experiencing financial hardship. To learn more and access the application portal, please view the resource flyer below or visit labor.maryland.gov/federalworkers.

Download Flyer
The Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

Relief Is Within Reach: Apply for the Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

If you’re a Maryland resident burdened with student loan debt, now’s the time to act. The Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit offers a direct income tax credit to help ease the load. But don’t wait—applications are due by September 15, 2025. Eligible applicants can significantly reduce their tax bill or even receive a refund if the credit exceeds taxes owed.

To qualify, you must have incurred at least $20,000 in student loans and still owe at least $5,000. The process is simple: visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission website to apply. Questions? Reach out to studentdebttaxcredit.mhec@maryland.gov. for help.

Click here to download the FAQ and get more information.

Learn More

Thinking about your next move?

TAKE ACTION