Ginny Burdick was first elected to the Oregon Senate in 1996, and was re-elected in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Senator Burdick currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue, an appointment she received in 2008. She also serves on the Senate Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Public Affairs. In 2007, Senator Burdick served as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety. She has also served in the past on the Environment and Commerce and Workforce Development committees.

Senator Burdick currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue, an appointment she has held since 2008. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Joint-Committee on Tax Credits, as well as a member of the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Senate Committee on Business, Transportation and Economic Development. In 2007, Senator Burdick served as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety. She has also served in the past on the Consumer Protection and Public Affairs Committee, the Environment Committee, and the Commerce and Workforce Development Committee.

In the 2008 Supplemental Session, Senator Burdick was a strong supporter of expanding the Business Energy Tax Credit to encourage manufacturers of energy-saving technologies to locate in Oregon. She also worked to expand affordable housing credits for preserving and building housing for low income residents.

In 2007, Senator Burdick was a Chief Sponsor of the Clean Indoor Air Act. This bill provides nearly all Oregon employees with clean air, free of secondhand smoke, in their workplaces. She was also the Senate leader in the Legislature’s successful effort to adopt anti-discrimination legislation for sexual minorities and domestic partnership legislation for same-sex couples.

In the 2005 legislative session, Senator Burdick co-authored the bipartisan methamphetamine package that passed the Legislature overwhelmingly and has been credited with the virtual elimination of home methamphetamine labs in Oregon.

Senator Burdick has been the Legislature’s top advocate for gun safety legislation. When the Legislature failed to close the gun show loophole in 1999, she joined with two Oregon Sheriffs to sponsor Ballot Measure 5, an initiative requiring criminal background checks at gun shows. Measure 5 was passed by Oregon voters in November 2000 with 62 percent of the vote statewide and has cut down on the flow of illegal guns from gun shows.

Senator Burdick is a native of Portland. She attended Chapman and Bridlemile Schools and is a graduate of Wilson High School. She received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Puget Sound in 1969 and her Master’s in Journalism from the University of Oregon 1973.

Before being elected to the Senate, Senator Burdick served on the Land Conservation and Development Commission from 1987-1993, including four years as vice-chair. She has served on the Oregon Board of The Nature Conservancy, the Oregon Board of NARAL, Emanuel Hospital’s Council of Associates and the Program Committee of the City Club of Portland.

In her non-legislative career, Senator Burdick is a communications consultant, specializing in crisis communications. She is the proud mom of two daughters, Kate and Shannon. In her free time, Ginny enjoys biking, walking, working out at the gym and reading. She is owned by three cats: Guilt, Father O’Riley and Osiris.