User:Redsbest/sandbox

Terri E. Bonoff (born August 1, 1957) is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota Senate who represents District 43 (recently redistricted 44), which includes portions of Minnetonka, Plymouth and Medicine Lake in Hennepin County, which is in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, she won a special election in November 2005.

Bonoff is currently an assistant minority leader in the Senate. She is a member of the Senate's Commerce and Consumer Protection, Education, and Finance committees.

Personal life
Bonoff grew up in Edina, Minnesota and later attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, earning a degree in Psychology and Sociology. After 18 years in business, she retired in 1999 as a marketing executive from Navarre Corporation. Prior to joining Navarre, she spent five years in the toy and video game business with Tonka Toys. In addition, she began her career in fashion retail with Jackson Graves, a family owned women's specialty store. She chose to leave her business career to spend time with her husband and four children.

Political career
Bonoff's own career as an elected official began when she won a 2005 special election against Plymouth Mayor Judy Johnson to fill the Minnesota Senate seat being vacated. She won a rematch with Johnson in the 2006 General Election. Her slogan for both elections was "uniting the middle". She was elected to a second term in 2010.

Prior to being elected to the senate, she served on the Minnetonka Planning Commission and lobbied at the Minnesota Capitol as a volunteer for the Hopkins Legislative Action Commission. She became president of the Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition, a guide at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and president of Babe Ruth Baseball in Hopkins/Minnetonka.

In 2011 Bonoff ran for and was elected to the position of Assistant Leader of the DFL Senate caucus.

Endorsements 2012
•    Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

•    TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

•    National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)

•    Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association

•    North Central States of Regional Council of Carpenters

•    Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

•    Minnesota Association of Realtors

•    Project 515

•    Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters

•    United Transportation Union

Awards
•    Guardian of Small Businesses -Given by NFIB

•    Friend of Public Education Award - Given by Association of Metropolitan School Districts

2008 Campaign for Congress
After serving in the Minnesota legislature for two years, Bonoff ran for the 3rd congressional district seat held by the retiring Jim Ramstad.

In November 2007, EMILY's List, a national organization with the slogan "electing women to create progressive change," endorsed Bonoff's campaign.

On April 12, 2008, Bonoff left the U.S. House race after Ashwin Madia was endorsed by the DFL party.

Voting Integrity
Bonoff authored a bill calling for voter verification, which would create a link between the Secretary of State's voting rolls and the Department of Motor Vehicles records (2012 SF 2555). She voted against placing a Constitutional Amendment for Voter ID on the ballot (2012 SF 1577/HF 2738).

Transportation
Bonoff has been a supporter of the Southwest Light Rail Transit line. The Southwest Transit Alliance is a group founded to support and find funding for the Southwest Light Rail Transit line. The Alliance includes over 3,000 businesses in the Southwest Corridor. This project is also supported by; TwinWest, Edina, Greater Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, and the St. Paul Area Chambers of Commerce. The project will bring a greater diversity of transit options to the Southwest Metro. Currently the project and it's needed $125 million (state contribution) are under review by the Governor's office. 90% of the funds are already dedicated.

Education
•	Voted in favor of alternative teacher licensing (2012 SF 40)

•	Voted in favor of teacher layoff reform (LIFO) (2012 SF 1690)

•	Voted in favor of reinstating 2% basic revenue set aside for professional development (2012 SF 56)

•	Authored bill to mandate (a) joint purchasing of goods and services by school districts and (b) a state contract with a purchasing consultant (2009 SF 10).

Taxes
•	Voted against a new fourth tier tax rate (2010 SF 1556)

•	Voted to provide $120 million in tax relief to businesses and families (2012 SF 872)

Pro-Business Record
In 2012 Bonoff had the most pro-business record among all the Senate Democrats, voting with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce position 77.7% of the time, relative to an average among her DFL colleagues of 37.5%.

Marriage Amendment
Bonoff voted against limiting marriage and the Constitutional Amendment that defines marriage between one man and one woman.

Women's Health
Bonoff has historically voted against policies limiting women's access to health care. She works tirelessly for women to be able to consult about all options when their health is at risk.

• Voted against SF1912/HF2341, which limits medical options for women in rural areas.

• Voted in-favor of an abortion alternative grant program SF2330/HF2676.

Electoral history

 * Minnesota Senate District 43 Election 2010
 * Terri Bonoff (D) (inc.), 18271 votes, 51.74%
 * Norann Dillon (R), 17018 votes, 48.19%
 * Write In, 22 votes, 0.06%


 * Minnesota Senate District 43 Election 2006
 * Terri Bonoff (D) (inc.), 19159 votes, 51.93%
 * Judy Johnson (R), 17697 votes, 47.96%
 * Write In, 41 votes, 0.11%


 * Minnesota Senate District 43 Special Election 2005
 * Terri Bonoff (D), 5745 votes, 54.44%
 * Judy Johnson (R), 4802 votes, 45.50%
 * Write In, 6 votes, 0.06%