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Meet Senator Downing |
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Benjamin B. Downing (D – Pittsfield) was elected to the Massachusetts Senate on November 7, 2006. Senator Downing represents 48 communities in Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Counties, proudly serving the largest Senate district in the Commonwealth.
Senator Downing’s legislative agenda for the 2009-2010 session focuses on promoting reform and recovery throughout the Commonwealth.
As Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue, Senator Downing considers all matters concerning Federal financial assistance, state fees, the raising of revenue for the Commonwealth by means of taxation, as well as certain matters relating to the local property tax. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, and is an active member of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means and the Joint Committees on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies, Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure and Veterans & Federal Affairs. Additionally, Senator Downing is a participating member of Legislative Caucuses focusing on Regional Schools, Regional Transit Authorities and Gateway Cities.
During his freshman term, Senator Downing served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service.
Since beginning his service, Senator Downing has represented the Massachusetts Senate in a variety of capacities. He has served on the Governor’s Local Government Advisory Commission, where members of the Administration, Legislature, and municipal government seek to address municipal concerns. He represented Massachusetts at the Council of State Government’s (CSG) Eastern Leadership Academy in 2007. During his first term he served on eleven special commissions and task forces charged with the study and recommendation of specialized policy areas. In Pittsfield, the Senator serves as the Co-Chair of the Leadership Council to End Chronic Homelessness in Berkshire County. Statewide, he serves as the Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s Committee on Youth Services and the Honorary Chair of the College Democrats of Massachusetts.
A Pittsfield native, Senator Downing received his B.A. in Political Science from Providence College (2003). In May 2008, he received a M.A. from Tufts University’s Department of Urban and Environment Policy & Planning.
Before returning to Pittsfield, Senator Downing lived in Washington, D.C. working for U.S. Representatives William Delahunt (D-Quincy) and Richard E. Neal (D-Springfield), before joining the staff of U.S. Representative John W. Olver (D-Amherst). For nearly 2 years, he served as Congressman Olver’s senior advisor on housing, budget, tax, homeland security and foreign affairs.
Senator Downing’s family has a long history of public service. He is the oldest of four children (Maggie, Nate & Nick) raised by late Berkshire District Attorney Gerard and Pamela Downing.
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