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Anderson, Ellen R.

Sessions Served

Other Information

Senate 1993-2011 (District 66)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 11/25/1959

Birth Place: Gary, Indiana

Birth County:

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Female

Religion: Presbyterian

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

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

Judicial Administration: Minnesota Court of Appeals (Law Clerk for Judge Crippen); 19?? to 19??

State Public Defender/Office: Hennepin County, Minnesota (Public Defenders Office, Trial Attorney); 19?? to 19??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council (Appointed by Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller); 12/01/2008 to 20?? [Appointed]

U.S. Executive Branch: White House Working Group of State Legislators on Energy and Climate Control; 2009 to 20??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Chair, Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton, Senate Did Not Confirm Her Appointment); 03/28/2011 to 01/30/2012 [Appointed]

State Governor Staff: Minnesota 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 while in office, later divorced)
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.

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Total Days Served: 6650

SESSIONS SERVED

87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 3/20/2011 (unfinished term)
Oath Date: 1/4/2011

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.

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

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: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division (Chair)
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Clean Water Legacy
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Energy Subdivision
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Parks and Trails Legacy

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

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: E-12 Education Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division (Chair)
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Energy Subdivision
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection, Banking and Insurance
Commerce: No Fault Insurance
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance: K-12 Education Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Tourism - Ex Officio Member
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy - Ex Officio Member
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing - Ex Officio Member
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Telecommunications and Technology - Ex Officio Member
Rules and Administration: 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.

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004 (Chair) [She was the Chair in 2003 only.]
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004: Consumer Protection and Banking - Ex Officio Member
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004: Liquor - Ex Officio Member
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004: Telecommunications and Technology - Ex Officio Member
Finance: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development-2003/Jobs, Energy and Community Development-2004 (Chair) [She was the Chair in 2004 only.]
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney/College Instructor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2001 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2001 1st Sp.S. - Author
2002 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2002 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: State Government, Economic Development and Judiciary Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development (Chair)
Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

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: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development/Commerce/Human Resources Finance Comm.: Economic Development Budget Division
Judiciary/Crime Prevention/Human Resources Finance: Crime Prevention and Judiciary Budget Division
Taxes
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

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: Housing and Economic Development (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development/Commerce/Human Resources Finance Comm.: Economic Development Budget Division
Judiciary/Crime Prevention/Human Resources Finance: Crime Prevention and Judiciary Budget Division
Taxes
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax

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79th Legislative Session (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy and Public Utilities
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 66

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing (Chair)
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy and Public Utilities
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division

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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.

News Sources

The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.

District News Files

2000 (66)

2001 (66)

2002 (66)

2003 (66)

2004 (66)

2005 (66)

2006 (66)

2007 (66)

2008 (66)

2009 (66)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Senator Ellen Anderson listens during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1993. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

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Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 321 State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155