Minnesota State Senator
January 1997 to Present
Legislative Accomplishments and Initiatives
Authored extensive legislation on wide range of issue areas. Secured funding for Minneapolis youth summer jobs program, enacted Minnesota's first electronic waste program, passed first law in America banning phosphorus from lawn fertilizer, author of predatory lending package that has been called the strongest in the nation, authored the Family Asset Initiative for Minnesota (FAIM). Authored legislation to increase funding for Early Childhood Family Education, Youthbuild, Learn to Earn, Head Start, Summer Youth Enrichment, Adolescent Parenting Grant Program, First Call Minnesota. Secured bonding for many projects in Senate District 58.

Leadership Positions
Chair, Public Safety Budget Division, 2007-present
Reformed and funded state's reentry initiatives, established mentorship grants for children with incarcerated parents, police over-time and hiring grants, scrap metal regulation, veterans' court diversion program, and crime victim reparation grants.

Chair, State and Local Government Operations, 2004-2006
Led successful election efforts including the enactment of federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in Minnesota. Member of conference committees on eminent domain and the Minnesota Twins ballpark.

Majority Whip, 2001-2006
Served as a liaison between members and leadership.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Legislative Committees and Subcommittee Membership

• 2007-present, Chair, Public Safety Budget Division
• 2007-present, Judiciary Policy
• 2007-present, Judiciary Budget Division
• 2001-present, Health, Housing and Family Security
• 2001-present, Finance
• 2004-2006, Chair, Technology Subcommittee
• 2003-2006, Capital Investment
• 2003-2006 Health, Human Services, and Corrections Budget Division
• 2001-2006, State and Local Government Operations
• 2001-2004, Jobs, Housing, and Community Development
• 2001-2002, Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
• 1997-2004, Environment and Natural Resources
• 1997-2000, Jobs, Energy, and Community Development
• 1997-2000, Early Childhood Family Education Budget Division
• 1997-2000, Education Finance
• 1997-2000, Economic Development Budget Division
• 1997-2000, Children, Families, and Learning
• 1997-2000, Local and Metropolitan Government
• 1997-2003, Environmental Protection Subcommittee, Chair 2002-2003
• 1997-2003, Public Lands and Waters Subcommittee

Legislative Caucuses, Commissions and Task Forces

• 2008-present, State Senior Advisory Committee on Emergency Management
• 2007-present, Gang and Drug Oversight Council
• 2007-present, Next Generation 9-1-1 Core Advisory Committee
• 2007, Task Force on the Effects of Foreclosure on Local Governments (Chair)
• 2007-present, Preparedness for Disasters and Terrorism Working Group (Chair)
• 2007-2008, Predatory Lending Working Group
• 2006-present, Victory Memorial Drive Task Force
• 2006-present, Bottineau Boulevard Partnership
• 2006-2007, Minnesota Asthma Steering Committee
• 2004-2006, Early Childhood Caucus
• 2003-2006, Commission on Metropolitan Governance
• 2002-2006, Minneapolis Institute of Arts Board
• 2002-present, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
• 2002-2006, Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources
• 2000-2001, Joint House-Senate Solid Waste Working Group
• 1999-2001, Predatory Lending Task Force
• 1998-2000, Mortgage Flipping Task Force
• 1997-present, St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board
• 1997-2006, Council on Black Minnesotans

Administrative Analyst II, Minneapolis Regulatory Services Department, Business Licensing Division
Legislative Interim, Present

Administrative Analyst II, Minneapolis Regulatory Services Department, Problem Properties Unit
Legislative Interims, 2006 to 2008

Administrative Staff to Minneapolis City Council Member Joe Biernat
January 1993 to December 1996

Self-employed writer, editor, proofreader, and desktop publisher
January 1986 to December 1993

Editor/writer at publishing/graphics companies in Minneapolis, including McGraw-Hill Publications, Control Data Corporation, Modern Medicine Publications.
January 1973 to December 1991

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

National Leadership Positions

• 2007-present, Law and Criminal Justice Standing Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures
• 2004-2005, Executive Committee, Council of State Governments
• 2002-present, Health Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures
• 2002-present, Emerging Trends in Healthcare Committee, Council of State Governments
• 2002-2006, Elections Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures

State and Community Leadership Positions

• Minneapolis Charter Commission
• Old Highland Neighborhood Association
• National Organization for Women
• Sierra Club
• Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
• Clear Air, Clear Water Unlimited
• Minnesota Rovers Outing Club
• Reuben Lindh Capital Campaign
• Plymouth Christian Youth Center Capital Campaign
• Minneapolis Urban League Capital Campaign
• Friends of DFL Women
• Volunteer, Toys for Tots
• Minneapolis Capital Long-Range Improvements Committee
• Hennepin County Women's Political Caucus
• Northside Neighborhood Housing Services, corporate member
• Minneapolis Home Tours, neighborhood host
• Minnesota DFL Party
  • State Central Committee Member
  • State Executive Committee Member
  • Senate District 58 Central and Executive Committee, including Chair
  • State conventions co-chair
• Ann Hunt Award (honors long-time volunteerism at Congressional District level)
• Political campaign volunteer, 1977-present

Speeches and Presentations

• October 2008, Presenter, The Ohio State University, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, National Convening: Subprime Lending, Foreclosure and Race.
• June 2008, Presenter, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, "Predatory Lending Legislation in Minnesota."
• November 2007, Presenter, Midwest Legislative Conference, "Strategies to Combat Predatory Lending ."
• July 1998, Presenter, National Conference of State Legislatures, "Early Childhood Education Legislation."

SIGNIFICANT HONORS AND AWARDS

• 2009, Minnesota Judicial Council Honoree
• 2009, Minnesota Association of Physician Assistants' Legislator of the Yea
• 2009, Fourth Judicial District Honoree
• 2009, Uniform Law Commission Honoree
• 2007, Minnesota Farmers Union Golden Triangle Award
• 2007, Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) Honoree
• 2006, Metropolitan Council Regional Leadership Award
• 2005, Minnesota Nurses Exemplary Policy Maker Award
• 2005, Minnesota Hospital Association Award
• 2005, Minneapolis Park Board Award
• 2004, Friends of EMS Award
• 2004, Folwell Neighborhood Association Legislative Honoree
• 2003, Minnesota Nurses Public Official Award
• 2002, Legislative Recognition Award from the League of Minnesota Cities
• 2002, Exemplary Leadership Award, Minnesota Conservation Corps
• 2001, Center for Policy Alternatives Flemming Fellow
• 2001, Council of State Governments Toll Fellow
  • 2000, Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP) Policy Maker of the Year Award
  • 2000, President's Award from the Northside Agencies
  • 2000, Better Government Award from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
  • 1998, Marvelous Minnesota Woman Award
  • 1997, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) Fellow of the Midwest Council of State Governments

EDUCATION

Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Course in State and Local Government, 2005

Mankato State College, Mankato, Minnesota, Bachelor of Science (Teaching), 1972 Major: English, Minor: Journalism

Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, Iowa, Associate of Arts, 1970

Titonka Consolidated School, Titonka, Iowa, May 1968

PERSONAL

Born November 11, 1950, Titonka, Iowa
Married to Brian Bushay