“If we don't educate our children, we won't have to worry about our future, because there won't be one!”

Unbossed and Standing on Principle

Greetings Constituents and Friends:

With pleasure I welcome you to the 24th Legislative District website. I am pleased to be your Senator as we continue to “raise the bar” of prosperity.

Our goal is to keep you informed regarding those issues which impact our community and state. If you wish to share your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In addition, I am available to visit your meetings to provide information or assist with any problems you may have.

You may contact my office at 301-858-3148 or by emailing me at joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us. Thanks for your unwavering support and attention.

Yours truly,

Joanne C. Benson

Upcoming Events

Maryland's 2020 Presidential General Election Tuesday, November 3rd

Maryland’s Presidential General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd through mail-in ballot, with limited in-person voting available for those who are unable to vote by mail. To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, we strongly recommend that voters who can vote by mail do so.

Mail-in voting is another way to vote if you don't want to or can't go to an early voting center or your polling place. Due to the COVID19 outbreak, the State Board of Elections and local board offices are currently closed to the public, therefore making an in-person ballot request is NOT available – Requests must be made online! You choose how you want to receive your mail-in ballot.

NOTE: A Request for mail-in ballot must be received BEFORE 10/20/2020.
For more information, please click here.
NOTE: The April 27, 2020, May 18, 2020, and June 22, 2020 meetings have been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The 202 Coalition Meets WHEN: Every Fourth Monday Of The Month
The 202 Coalition meets every fourth Monday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church at 410 Addison Road South, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Contact my office at 301-858-3148 to find out more or email jterry@senate.state.md.us to be added to our mailing list.

In The Community

Underemployed? Unemployed?
Do you need help paying your gas and electric bill?

You may be eligible to apply for utility bill assistance through the State Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP). Click here to see current income guidelines.

Apply online at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us
Apply by Phone: Call 1-800-332-6347 Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm if you need help with an application by phone.
Apply by Mail: No internet access? Call 1-800-332-6347 Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm to request an application by mail.

NOTE: This information was prepared by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel. Contact: dlinfo_opd@maryland.gov for questions or visit www.opc.maryland.gov for more updates on utilites and resources.

Do you need help to afford food right now?

You may be eligible to apply for financial assistance to purchase food for your household through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Click here to see current income guidelines.

Apply online at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us
Apply by Phone: Call 1-800-332-6347 Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm if you need help with an application by phone.
Apply by Mail: No internet access? Call 1-800-332-6347 Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm to request an application by mail.

Career Readiness Workshop in Joseph/The Washington Post)

Judge S Woods Elementary School Community Supply Drive

‘A triumph of hope’: Maryland leaders welcome home man sentence at age 15 - The Washington Post

Rachel Chason - Monday, July 8th 2019

Curtis Brooks had been out of prison in Colorado for one week when he arrived at a church in suburban Maryland on Monday, doling out hugs and posing for pictures with U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and state Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s).

He’d spent the past 24 years behind bars, after being sentenced to life without parole for his involvement at age 15 in a carjacking that led to a fatal shooting in Aurora, Colo. Another boy pulled the trigger.

Maryland state Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s) gives Curtis Brooks, her former pupil, a pat on the head as he returns to Maryland after serving 24 years in prison in Colorado. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

“If we don't educate our children, we won't have to worry about our future, because there won't be one!”

Unbossed and Standing on Principle

Upcoming Events

Maryland's 2020 Presidential General Election Tuesday, November 3rd

In The Community

Do you need help to afford food right now?

Media Center

Benson’s Bio

End of Session Letter