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Sonnie Elliott has been a member of Faegre & Benson's government relations team for nearly a decade. Prior to joining the firm, Sonnie served as deputy director for Cabinet affairs in the Office of Governor Arne Carlson. She has represented businesses, education, nonprofit organizations, and trade and professional associations before the Minnesota Legislature, state agencies, and local units of government. Sonnie has led the effort to secure approval for funding for several clients including: $200,000 for the Minnesota Council on Economic Education for teacher training $3,000,000 in TANF and $4,000,000 in general fund appropriations for Hearth Connection to provide supportive housing and services for disabled homeless persons $4,500,000 in Tax Increment Financing for the City of Mendota Heights $2,000,000 for the Walker Arts Center and Minneapolis Institute of Arts for their educational Internet site $5,500,000 for Childrens Theatre The following is a representative sample of the clients for whom Sonnie has provided government relations services and the issues in which she has been involved: Augsburg College Urban education issues Financial Services Coordinating Council Privacy regulation International Council of Shopping Centers Commercial industrial property taxes and Smart Growth Lexmark International, Inc. Toner recharging legislation Minneapolis Downtown Council Transportation and transit Minnesota Broadcasters Association Tax and regulatory issues Minnesota Council of Shopping Centers Commercial industrial property taxes and Smart Growth Minnesota Council on Economic Education Funding for teacher training Minnesota Humanities Center Funding for teacher training Minnesota Private College Council Financial aid Minnesota Public Radio Funding for outstate capital projects Minnesota Religious Council Statute of limitations Minnesota Vikings Football Club Stadium issues National Association of Office and Industrial Properties Commercial industrial property taxes and Smart Growth Ordway Capital bonding appropriations Port Authority of the City of Saint Paul Legislative commission on Minnesota resources funding The Childrens Theatre Company Capital bonding appropriations Walker Arts Center Funding for educational website Prior to joining Faegre & Benson, Sonnie was deputy director for Cabinet affairs in the office of Governor Arne Carlson. As a member of the governor’s senior staff, Sonnie advised the governor on legislative issues and lobbied legislators on behalf of the Carlson administration. Prior to working with Governor Carlson, Sonnie worked at the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1990 to 1995. Sonnie graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Speech and Communications. | 