Legislature > LRL Home > Legislators Past & Present > Member Record
New Search
Olson, Gen
Senate 1983-92 (District 43); Senate 1993-2002 (District 34); Senate 2003-2012 (District 33)
Party when first elected: Independent Republican
Counties Served:
Hennepin, Wright
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
| Date of Birth: 05/20/1938
|
Date of Death:
|
| Birth Place: Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
Birth County: Ramsey |
Birth Country: United States |
| Other Names: |
|
| Gender:
Female
|
Religion: Lutheran
|
|
City of Residence (when first elected):
Mound
Occupation (when first elected):
Director, Secondary Vocational Education Education, Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District/Former High School Teacher
|
EDUCATION
Minnehaha Academy High School; Secondary;
Wheaton College; Attended College;
University of Minnesota; B.S.Ed.; Home Economics, With Distinction, 1959
University of Minnesota; Ed.D.; Education
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
| Municipal Board/Commission | Minnetrista, Minnesota (Police Commission) | | ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19?? |
| State Agency | Minnesota Department of Education (Consultant) | | ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19?? |
| Municipal Board/Commission | Minnetrista, Minnesota (Park and Recreation Commission) | Appointed | ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19?? |
| Municipal Board/Commission | Minnetrista, Minnesota (Planning and Zoning Commission) | Appointed | ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19?? |
| Municipal Council/Aldermen | Minnetrista, Minnesota (City Council) | Elected | ??/??/1979 to ??/??/1980 |
| Municipal Mayor | Minnetrista, Minnesota (City Mayor) | Elected | ??/??/1981 to ??/??/1982 |
| State Board/Commission/Council | Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission | Appointed | ??/??/2006 to 12/31/2008 |
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Single
Children:
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
Special Legislative Concerns: education, property tax reform, cost of government, environmental issues, tax policy, agriculture, environment and natural resources, economic development, local government.
She ran for the Independent Republican endorsement for the United States Senate in the 1994 election. She lost the nomination to Rod Grams at the state party convention.
She was the Republican endorsed candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota with Norm Coleman as Governor in 1998. They lost to Jesse Ventura.
She was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deephaven, Minnesota.
Religion provided by a newspaper article.
| Legislative Session:
87th (2011-2012)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/2/2010
|
Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
|
| District: 33 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Education (Chair)
Finance
State Government Innovation and Veterans
|
|
Leadership Position:
President Pro Tempore
|
| Legislative Session:
86th (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/7/2006
|
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
|
| District: 33 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Charter Schools
Environment and Natural Resources
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division-Arts Education
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget and Policy Division
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget and Policy Division-Transit Subdivision
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees
Transportation
|
| Legislative Session:
85th (2007-2008)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/7/2006
|
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
|
| District: 33 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Committees:
Education
Environment and Natural Resources
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget and Policy Division
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget and Policy Division-Transit Subdivision
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees
Transportation
Transportation Subcommittee: Transit Subdivision
|
|
Session Notes:
She served on the Finance Committee in 2008.
|
| Legislative Session:
84th (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/2002
|
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
|
| District: 33 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Education
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Public Lands and Waters
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: K-12 Education Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
|
| Legislative Session:
83rd (2003-2004)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/2002
|
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
|
| District: 33 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Education
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Public Lands and Waters
Finance Subcommittee: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
| Legislative Session:
82nd (2001-2002)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/7/2000
|
Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
|
| District: 34 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin, Wright
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Crime Prevention
Education
Education Subcommittee: Assessment and Testing
Education Subcommittee: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Property Tax Budget Division
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
| Legislative Session:
81st (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
|
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/1996
|
Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
|
| District: 34 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin, Wright
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Committees:
Children, Families and Learning
Children, Families and Learning/Education Finance Subcommittee: K-12 Education Budget Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Local and Metropolitan Government
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes/Local and Metropolitan Government Subcommittee: Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
| Legislative Session:
80th (1997-1998)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/1996
|
Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
|
| District: 34 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin, Wright
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Committees:
Children, Families and Learning
Children, Families and Learning/Education Finance Subcommittee: K-12 Education Budget Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Local and Metropolitan Government
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes/Local and Metropolitan Government Subcommittee: Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
|
Session Notes:
She was a non-voting (ex officio) member of the Joint House/Senate Special Select Subcommittee on Agricultural Education.
|
| Legislative Session:
79th (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
|
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/3/1992
|
Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
|
| District: 34 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin, Wright
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
|
Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Education Funding Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Public Lands and Waters
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee: Property Tax
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
| Legislative Session:
78th (1993-1994)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/3/1992
|
Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
|
| District: 34 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin, Wright
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Education Funding Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Public Lands and Waters
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee: Property Tax
Transportation and Public Transit
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
| Legislative Session:
77th (1991-1992)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/6/1990
|
Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
|
| District: 43 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Early Childhood/Special Populations
Education Subcommittee: Education Funding Division
Education Subcommittee: Governance and Structures
Energy and Public Utilities
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environmental Protection
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division
Transportation
Transportation Subcommittee: Public Transportation
Transportation Subcommittee: Transportation Safety
|
| Legislative Session:
76th (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
|
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/4/1986
|
Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991
|
| District: 43 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Legislator |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Education Funding Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environmental Protection
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government Subcommittee: Metropolitan Government
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy Subcommittee: Energy
Transportation Subcommittee: Safety
|
|
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
|
| Legislative Session:
75th (1987-1988)
Session Details
|
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/4/1986
|
Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991
|
| District: 43 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Vocational Education Administrator |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Education Aids Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environmental Protection
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government Subcommittee: Metropolitan Government
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy Subcommittee: Alternative Energy
|
| Legislative Session:
74th (1985-1986) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
|
Click to enlarge
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/2/1982
|
Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/5/1987
|
| District: 43 |
Residence: Minnetrista |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Vocational Education Administration |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Education Aids
Education Subcommittee: Joint Senate/House Subcommittee on Libraries
Education Subcommittee: Post-Secondary and Higher Education
Energy and Housing
Energy and Housing Subcommittee: Energy
Energy and Housing Subcommittee: Research and Alternative Financing
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government Subcommittee: Land Use, Planning and Zoning
Local and Urban Government Subcommittee: Urban Government
|
| Legislative Session:
73rd (1983-1984)
Session Details
|
|
| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/2/1982
|
Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/5/1987
|
| District: 43 |
Residence: Mound |
|
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
|
| Occupation: Director, Secondary Vocational Education Education, Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District/Former High School Teacher |
| Party:
Independent Republican |
|
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Joint House/Senate Subcommittee on Libraries
Education Subcommittee: Post-Secondary and Higher Education
Energy and Housing
Energy and Housing Subcommittee: Energy
Energy and Housing Subcommittee: Research and Alternative Financing
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government Subcommittee: Urban Government
|
No other information has been entered for this legislator.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.