Introduction
Joanne Claybon Benson (born March 11, 1941) is an American politician who represents district 24 in the Maryland State Senate.
Background
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, March 11, 1941, Delegate Benson attended South Hagerstown High School and then graduated from Bowie State College with a BS in education in 1961. She later attended The Catholic University of America where she earned her M.A. in curriculum instruction in 1972.
In the legislature
Delegate Benson was a member of House of Delegates from 1991 to 2011. She served on the House Health and Government Operations Committee and its health occupations subcommittee, long-term care subcommittee, and its minority health disparities subcommittee. She is also a member and former chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. In 2010 she defeated incumbent state senator Nathaniel Exum and was sworn into office in January 2011.
Legislative notes
- voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)[1]
- voted in favor of the Tax Reform Act of 2007(HB2)[2]
- voted in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in 2007 (HB6)[3]