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Kahn, Phyllis L.

Official House Web Page Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN

House 1973-82 (District 57A); House 1983-92 (District 58B); House 1993-2012 (District 59B); House 2013-Present (District 60B)

Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus

Counties Served:  Hennepin

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 03/23/1937 Date of Death: 
Birth Place: New York City (Brooklyn), New York Birth County:  Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Female Religion:  Jewish
City of Residence (when first elected):  Minneapolis

Occupation (when first elected):  Genetics Research; Department of Genetic and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota

EDUCATION

Erasmus Hall High School, New York; Secondary;
Cornell University; B.A.; Physics, 1957
Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government; M.P.A.; Public Administration; Bush Leadership Fellowship, 1983-85
Yale University; Ph.D.; Biophysics, 1962
Princeton University; Fellowship; Post Doctoral Fellow

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/CouncilMinnesota 2005 Capitol Centennial Commission ??/??/???? to ??/??/2005
State AgencyMinnesota Department of Human Rights' Women's Advisory Committee ??/??/1971 to ??/??/1973

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Donald "Don" W.
Children: Two children: Tamar (daughter), Jeremy (son)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

She was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

Legislative Session: 88th (2013-2014)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/6/2012 Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
District: 60B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Minutes
Government Operations Minutes
Legacy (Chair) Minutes
State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes
Legislative Session: 87th (2011-2012)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/2/2010 Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Capital Investment Minutes
State Government Finance Minutes
State Government Finance Subcommittee: Veterans Services Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes
Session Notes: She served on the State Government Finance Committee's Veterans Services Division in 2011 only. She served on the Capital Investment Committee in 2012 only.
Legislative Session: 86th (2009-2010)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/4/2008 Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Finance Minutes
Finance Subcommittee: State Government Finance Division (Chair) Minutes
State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes
Session Notes: She was an ex officio member of the Finance Committee's Cultural and Outdoor Resources Finance Division.
Legislative Session: 85th (2007-2008)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Finance Minutes
Finance Subcommittee: Minnesota Heritage Finance Division Minutes
Finance Subcommittee: State Government Finance Division (Chair) Minutes
Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes
Legislative Session: 84th (2005-2006)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/2/2004 Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Capital Investment Minutes
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Minutes
State Government Finance Minutes
Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
State Government Finance
Legislative Session: 82nd (2001-2002)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/7/2000 Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Capital Investment
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
Regulated Industries
State Government Finance
Legislative Session: 81st (1999-2000)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1998 Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Commerce
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
State Government Finance
Legislative Session: 80th (1997-1998)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/5/1996 Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Economic Development and International Trade
Economic Development and International Trade Subcommittee: International Trade
Governmental Operations (Chair)
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Administrative Rules
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Government Structures, Reform and Efficiency
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Pensions (Chair)
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: State Government Finance Division
Regulated Industries and Energy
Ways and Means
Legislative Session: 79th (1995-1996)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/8/1994 Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Governmental Operations (Chair)
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Administrative Rules
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Gambling Division
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: State Government Finance Division
Ways and Means
Legislative Session: 78th (1993-1994)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1992 Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
District: 59B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Education
Education Subcommittee: Higher Education Finance Division
Governmental Operations and Gambling (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Gambling Subcommittee: Administrative Rules
Governmental Operations and Gambling Subcommittee: Gambling (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Gambling Subcommittee: Government Structures and Reorganization
Governmental Operations and Gambling Subcommittee: State Government Finance Division
Ways and Means
Legislative Session: 77th (1991-1992)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/6/1990 Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
District: 58B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Agriculture
Agriculture Subcommittee: Rural Development, Marketing, and International Trade
Agriculture Subcommittee: Soil and Water Resources
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Government Division (Chair)
Environment and Natural Resources
Ways and Means
Legislative Session: 76th (1989-1990)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/8/1988 Term of Office: 1/3/1989 to 1/7/1991
District: 58B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Agriculture
Agriculture Subcommittee: Soil and Water Resources
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: Computer
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division (Chair)
Economic Development
Economic Development Subcommittee: International Trade and Technology Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environment
Ways and Means
Legislative Session: 75th (1987-1988)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/4/1986 Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/2/1989
District: 58B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Agriculture
Agriculture Subcommittee: Agriculture Finance Division
Agriculture Subcommittee: Dairy and Livestock
Agriculture Subcommittee: Soil and Water Conservation
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division (Chair)
Environment and Natural Resources
Future and Technology
Future and Technology Subcommittee: Biotechnology
Future and Technology Subcommittee: Telecommunication
Ways and Means
Legislative Session: 74th (1985-1986)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/6/1984 Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 1/5/1987
District: 58B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environment
Legislative Session: 73rd (1983-1984)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/2/1982 Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985
District: 58B Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division (Chair)
Energy
Energy Subcommittee: Energy and Economics
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Environment
Legislative Session: 72nd (1981-1982)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/4/1980 Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983
District: 57A Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator/Former Genetics Research; Department of Genetic and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division (Chair)
Appropriations Subcommittee: Telecommunication and Information Systems (Chair)
Energy
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Recreation and Open Space
Legislative Session: 71st (1979-1980)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/7/1978 Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 1/5/1981
District: 57A Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Legislator/Former Genetics Research; Department of Genetic and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Agriculture
Agriculture Subcommittee: Agriculture Programs and Policies
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: Semi-State Division
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division (Chair)
Energy and Utilities
Energy and Utilities Subcommittee: Alternative Energy Systems
Session Notes: She was the Chair of the Appropriations Committee's State Departments Division in 1980.
Legislative Session: 70th (1977-1978)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/2/1976 Term of Office: 1/4/1977 to 1/2/1979
District: 57A Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Geneticist; Department of Genetic and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Agriculture
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: Semi-State Division
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Legislative Session: 69th (1975-1976)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/5/1974 Term of Office: 1/7/1975 to 1/3/1977
District: 57A Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Genetics Research; Department of Genetic and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Agriculture
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Legislative Session: 68th (1973-1974)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/7/1972 Term of Office: 1/2/1973 to 1/6/1975
District: 57A Residence: Minneapolis
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Genetics Research; Department of Genetic and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus
Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
City Government
Environmental Preservation and Natural Resources
Transportation

OTHER INFORMATION

Audio/Video
Session Interview (Video) 2003 House Interview


Articles & Books About
"Speaking of the House." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 14, 2005, p. 16.

"Phyllis L. Kahn." Typewritten Profile, Source Unknown, 1973?

Gibson, Richard. "Some Women's Place May Be in House (or Senate)." Minneapolis Star, October 24, 1972, p. 1A, 3A.


Archive Collections
Phyllis Kahn Papers, 1972–2002 - Available in the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections.


The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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