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Hello, I’m Karen

I am a life-long resident of the Westside of Salt Lake Valley. I was married to the late Senator Ed Mayne. Upon his death in 2007 I was appointed to his senate seat and re-elected in 2008 and 2010. I’ve served as Assistant Minority Whip and currently serve as the Senate Minority Whip.

I’ve been active in PTA, local baseball and football organizations, and numerous political and community activities. I’m the proud mother of two children, Paul (Jana) and Jamie (Trevor), and a grandmother of six beautiful grandchildren.

Experience and Education

Legislative Committee Assignments

Learn more about legislative committees here

2022 Appropriations Committees:

• Executive Appropriations Committee
• Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
• Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee

2022 Standing Committees:

• Senate Business and Labor Committee
• Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
• Senate Ethics Committee
• Senate Legislative Expense Oversight Committee
• Senate Transportation, Public Utilities , Energy, and Technology Committee

2022 Interim Committees:

• Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
• Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee
• Senate Rules Interim Committee
• Transportation Interim Committee

2022 Confirmation Committees:

• Business and Labor Confirmation Committee
• Economic Development and Workforce Services Confirmation Committee
• Government Operations Confirmation Committee
• Judicial Confirmation Committee
• Retirement and Independent Entities Confirmation Committee
• Transportation, Public Utilities , Energy, and Technology Confirmation Committee

Special Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces

• Administrative Rules Review
• Constitutional Defense Council
• Criminal Code Eval. Task Force
• Energy Producers States Agreement
• Ethics Commission
• Federalism Commission
• Legislative Audit Subcommittee
• Legislative Management Committee
• Legislative Records Committee
• Mental Health Protection for First Responders Workgroup
• Occupational Professional Licensure Review Committee
• Research and General Counsel Subcommittee
• State Workforce Development Board
• Subcommittee on Oversight LMC
• Veterans & Military Affairs Commission

Affiliations

• Democratic Women’s Club, Member and Past President
• Former UTA Board of Directors
• Kearns Recreation Center, Board Member
• Habitat for Humanity, Ex-Board Member
• IHC Homecare and Hospice, Ex-Board Member
• Legacy of Learning – Workers’ Compensation Fund, Member
• Rocky Mountain Occupational Health Center, Ex-Board Member
• SLCC Advisory Board, Member
• Supporter of Women in the Trades – Promoting Non-Traditional Occupations for Women
• United Way Policy Board, Member
• Western Coalition of Westside Leaders
• Women In Government, State Director
• Workers Compensation Advisory Council

Awards and Recognitions

• AFL-CIO Worker’s Advocate Award (2015)
• American Federation of Teachers Para-educator of the Year Award (2001)
• Chamber West Hall of Fame Award (2017)
• Conference of Occupational Health Providers Award for Workplace Safety Legislation
• Democratic Women Lucy Beth Rampton Award for Public Service (2005)
• Ed Mayne Labor Champion (2022)
• Granite Peaks Lifelong Learning Dr. Joseph E. Allen Community Service Award (2011)
• Granite School District Friend of Education (2018-2019)
• Habitat for Humanity Appreciation Award
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Legislator of the Year
• Kearns Community Council Leadership Recognition (2019)
• Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities “Hero on the Hill” (2010)
• Metro Gang Unit Project Directors Award (2017)
• National Association of Letter Carriers Honorary Letter Carrier of the Year (2019)
• Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Utah Award of Excellence in Workplace Safety and Health (2013)
• Salt Lake Chamber Business Champion (2015-2022)
• Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Recognition
• Salt Lake Community College Legislator of the Year (2009)
• Sunshine Award for Protection of Free Speech and Open Government (2013)
• Taylorsville City Service to Community Award (2008)
• Taylorsville City Legislator of the Year
• Utah Business Coalition Legislative Champion (2014-2020)
• Utah Democratic Party Eleanor Roosevelt Award (Distinguished Woman Democrat)
• Utah Department of Public Safety Executive Merit Award (2017)
• Utah Fire Caucus Legislator of the Year (2012)
• Utah Highway Patrol Honorary Trooper Award
• Utah School Nurse Association Appreciation Award (2009)
• Utah Taxpayer’s Association “Friend of the Taxpayer” (2022)
• Workers Compensation Fund President’s Award for Promoting Workplace Safety (2013)