Senator Ellen Anderson receives 2007 "Vision Award"

Senator Ellen Anderson, DFL- St. Paul/Falcon Heights, received the 2007 "Vision Award" from the Democratic Women Leadership Coalition (DWLC) and DFL Feminist Caucus (DFL FC) today. The award was given to Sen. Anderson, because she is a "woman who uses a comprehensive view of her sphere of influence to build sustainability, and the results of her work extend into the future." Sen. Anderson worked for many years on her bill which passed in 2007, requiring at least 25% of Minnesota's electricity to come from renewable energy sources, making it the strongest law of its kind in the nation.

"The DWLC and DFL FC have worked to create gender equity in all levels Minnesota politics and advance policies that lead to stronger, healthier families," said Sen. Anderson. "I am honored that they have chosen to give me this award, and I am hopeful that by working together we will be able to pass legislation which will further protect all Minnesotans."

In addition to the Renewable Energy Standard, Sen. Anderson authored legislation during the 2007 Legislative Session to:

• Raise Minnesota's minimum wage from $6.15 to $6.75 an hour and require the minimum wage to be increase at the rate of inflation in future years;

• Protect nurses employed by the State of Minnesota from unsafe mandatory overtime; and

• Fund programs to protect the environment, clean Minnesota's lakes and rivers, and encourage the development of renewable energy.

For more information, contact Sen. Anderson's office at 651-296-5537 or sen.ellen.anderson@senate.mn.