LANSING – Since her election Nov. 7, Rep. Kate Ebli hasn’t spent time basking in victory. Instead, she has gained a toehold that will make her a valuable asset for the new Democratic majority, according to current and future House leadership.

Ebli, D-Monroe, is already on the House floor voting and learning about the issues.

She was elected to both a full term beginning in January, and a partial term, filling a vacancy left by the death of Rep. Herb Kerhl of Monroe.

Rep. Andy Dillon, D-Wayne, who will be the next speaker of the House, also entered the House through a special election in 2004 and said the head start will give her an advantage come January.

“I did the same thing that she did, and it will be a great opportunity for her to hit the ground running when next year’s session starts,” he said.

Ebli said priority issues this month include the creation of a plan to replace the state’s single business tax and efforts to create jobs to aid the economy.

She said the tax issues and job creation are intertwined.

“A lot of people are motivated to get something done to settle these problem so we can stabilize the business environment so more jobs come to Michigan,” she said.

Ebli, who previously worked and a telecommunications executive with Comcast, said her time in the private sector gave her experience with creating jobs.

“I have created high-tech Internet jobs in the past,” she said. “The best way to create these jobs is to have people prepared through education.”

Current House Democratic Leader Dianne Byrum, D-Onondaga, said that Ebli’s time in the private sector and her personality will allow her to be successful in the House.

“She’s a strong independent voice for her constituents who comes with a wealth of individual experience that makes her a great fit,” Byrum said.

Besides becoming acquainted with the issues and her colleagues, Ebli said she is becoming familiar with the Capitol environment.

“Everyone here has been so helpful and they have helped me get aquianted,” she said.

Her office on the ninth floor of the House Office Building.

“I know where to park and I know which elevators to use,” Ebli said.

However once, while heading for to the House chamber, she mistakenly took the elevator to the fourth floor instead of the second floor.

“I lied. I still have a problem with the elevators sometimes,” Ebli said.

On the House floor, she now sits in the second row on the left side of the aisle next to Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Hills, who offers a wealth of knowledge, Ebli said.

As for as the proceedings on the floor, Ebli said the speed is variable and one must always be prepared.

“The House can go from 0 to 60 in 1.3 seconds and I already know you need to be ready to go with it,” Ebli said.