* Elected Assistant Minority Leader in 2004

    * Awarded the 2005 Civic Leadership Award by the citizens league for being a co-founder of the bipartisan      
       2020 caucus
    
    * Member, Senate Senate Education, Business, Industry, and Jobs, Capital Investment, and Higher Education
       committees

    * Member, Senate Finance Higher Education Budget Division

    * Ranking Minority Member on Senate Business, Industry, and Jobs Committee

    * Member, Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement

    * Member, Early Childhood Caucus
 
    * 2006:  Received the "Advocate for Local Educational Solutions" award from the Minnesota School Boards
       association