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Anderson, Ellen R.

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Senate 1993-2011 (District 66)

Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served:  Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 11/25/1959 Date of Death: 
Birth Place: Gary, Indiana Birth County:  Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Female Religion:  Presbyterian
City of Residence (when first elected):  Saint Paul

Occupation (when first elected):  Attorney

EDUCATION

Ridgewood High School; Secondary;
Carleton College; B.A.; 1982
University of Minnesota, Law School; J.D.; Cum Laude, 1986

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Public Defender/OfficeHennepin County, Minnesota (Public Defenders Office, Trial Attorney) ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19??
Judicial AdministrationMinnesota Court of Appeals (Law Clerk for Judge Crippen) ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19??
State Board/Commission/CouncilMinnesota Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council (Appointed by Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller)Appointed12/01/2008 to ??/??/20??
U.S. Executive BranchWhite House Working Group of State Legislators on Energy and Climate Control ??/??/2009 to ??/??/20??
State Board/Commission/CouncilMinnesota Public Utilities Commission (Chair, Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton, Senate Did Not Confirm Her Appointment)Appointed03/28/2011 to 01/30/2012
State Governor StaffMinnesota Governor Mark Dayton's Office (Senior Adviser on Energy and Environmental Issues; Salary Paid by 4 Agencies, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Commerce, Natural Resources, and Pollution Control Agency; Office in the Department of Agriculture) 02/??/2012 to ??/??/20??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Andrew "Andy" Dawkins (married in September 1995, while in office)
Children: Two children: Jack and Nick (sons, born while she was in office)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Andrew J. Dawkins  - Husband

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: education, economy, neighborhood issues/revitalization, jobs and economic development, energy and environment, consumer protection, children's issues, violence prevention.

She was the Research Director for United States Senator Paul Wellstone's 1990 campaign.

On April 16, 1993 she was the first woman to wear pants on the Senate floor.

Religion provided by the 2006 WCCO TV Voters' Guide.

Legislative Session: 87th (2011-2012)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/2010 Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 3/20/2011 (unfinished term)
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Finance
Local Government and Elections
Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
Session Notes: She was appointed to Chair the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by Governor Mark Dayton.
Legislative Session: 86th (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Education
Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications
Environment and Natural Resources
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division-Clean Water Legacy
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division-Energy Subdivision
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division-Natural Resources
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division-Parks and Trails Legacy
Legislative Session: 85th (2007-2008)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications
Environment and Natural Resources
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division-Energy Subdivision
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division-Natural Resources
Legislative Session: 84th (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Consumer Protection, Banking and Insurance
Commerce Subcommittee: No Fault Insurance
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: K-12 Education Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development (Chair)
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Audit
Session Notes: She was an ex officio member of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee's Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee, Energy Subcommittee, Housing Subcommittee, and Telecommunications and Technology Subcommittee.
Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004 (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development-2003/Jobs, Energy and Community Development-2004 (Chair)
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Audit
Session Notes: She was the Chair of the Commerce and Utilities Committee in 2003 only. She was the Chair of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee in 2004 only. She was an ex officio member of these Commerce and Utilities Subcommittees: Consumer Protection and Banking, Liquor, and Telecommunications and Technology.
Legislative Session: 82nd (2001-2002)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2000 Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: State Government, Economic Development and Judiciary Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development (Chair)
Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities
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: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Crime Prevention
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources/Agriculture and Rural Development/State Government Finance Subcommittee: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Housing and Economic Development (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development/Commerce/Human Resources Finance Comm. Subcommittee: Economic Development Budget Division
Judiciary/Crime Prevention/Human Resources Finance Subcommittee: Crime Prevention and Judiciary Budget Division
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Income and Sales Tax
Legislative Session: 80th (1997-1998)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/1996 Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Crime Prevention
Environment and Natural Resources
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Housing and Economic Development (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development/Commerce/Human Resources Finance Comm. Subcommittee: Economic Development Budget Division
Judiciary/Crime Prevention/Human Resources Finance Subcommittee: Crime Prevention and Judiciary Budget Division
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Income and Sales Tax
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: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Public Lands and Waters
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Economic Development and Housing (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Energy and Public Utilities
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division
Legislative Session: 78th (1993-1994)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/3/1992 Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
District: 66 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Public Lands and Waters
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Economic Development and Housing (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Energy and Public Utilities
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About
"A Senator Redresses a Tradition - She Wears Pants; History is Made; a Colleague Follows Suit." Star Tribune, April 26, 1993, p. 3B.




The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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