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    Wergin, Betsy L.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    Senate 2003-08 (District 16)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 3/4/1952
    Birth Place: Princeton, Minnesota
    Birth County: Mille Lacs
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Female
    Religion: Christian Reformed
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Princeton
    Occupation (when first elected): Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business

    EDUCATION

    Princeton High School; Secondary; Graduate
    St. Cloud State University; Attended College; Accounting Classes

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Board/Commission: Baldwin, Minnesota (Township Officer/Clerk); 1989 to 1995
    County Board/Commissioner: Sherburne County, Minnesota (County Commissioner); 1995 to 2002
    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota State Public Utilities Commission; 07/28/2008 to 2??? [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Richard
    Children: Two children: Melissa (daughter), Joshua "Josh" (son)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
    J. LeRoy Koppendrayer  - Brother

    GENERAL NOTES

    Special Legislative Concerns: education policy and finance, transportation, pro-life initiatives, health care.

    She was raised on a farm.

    Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 2030

    SESSIONS SERVED

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 16
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Princeton
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 7/28/2008 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne
    Occupation: Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Veterans
    • Capital Investment
    • Finance: Agriculture and Veterans Budget and Policy Division
    • Finance: E-12 Education Budget Division
    • Health, Housing and Family Security
    Leadership Position: Deputy Minority Leader
    Leadership Notes: She resigned from the Minnesota Legislature on July 28, 2008.
    Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
    Session Notes: She was appointed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
    term photo
    Click to view

    84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 16
    Elected: 11/5/2002
    Residence: Princeton
    Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
    Counties Represented: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne
    Occupation: Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming
    • Finance: Early Childhood Policy and Budget Division
    • Finance: K-12 Education Budget Division
    • Health and Family Security
    • State and Local Government Operations
    term photo
    Click to view

    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 16
    Elected: 11/5/2002
    Residence: Princeton
    Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
    Counties Represented: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne
    Occupation: Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs-2003/Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming-2004
    • Finance: Early Childhood Policy and Budget Division-2004
    • Finance: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
    • State and Local Government Operations
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    District Files

    District File - 2003 District 16
    District File - 2004 District 16
    District File - 2005 District 16
    District File - 2006 District 16
    District File - 2007 District 16

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

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