Anderson was a member of the Senate's Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, Finance, Higher Education, and Local Government and Elections committees.
[1] In December 2008, she was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller to the Minnesota Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.
[2] On March 9, 2011, Dayton announced her appointment as chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
[2][3] Anderson was ousted as PUC chair on January 30, 2012, when the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate voted not to confirm her appointment.
[4] In 1995, Anderson married Andy Dawkins, who served as a state representative from Saint Paul from 1987 to 2003.