WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE

I'm Dan Kelley, a long-time resident of Jasper County. Please explore this site to learn about my background and commitment to be your voice in the Iowa House of Representatives (District 41).

Kelly @ the Capital

When Partisanship is Put Aside, Work Can Get Done By Dan Kelley, May 11, 2012.

When the 2012 session began, our top priority was to work together to find common ground and create jobs to grow Iowa's economy so that middle class families can get ahead. There is simply too much partisanship and focus on divisive issues today. When partisan politics were put aside, we were able to make progress for a better Iowa. Workforce development, higher education, veteran support, and senior citizen safety were areas of success for this legislative session.

We took significant steps to build Iowa's skilled workforce. We expanded training at our community colleges and kept these tuitions affordable for middle class families. We created new tuition grants for students to fill job openings in shortage areas where businesses are looking for workers. We also took action to help under-employed Iowans who want to upgrade their skills get the training they need.

Also, a new high-quality jobs initiative will help businesses expand while encouraging new businesses to locate in Iowa. We continued the innovation fund to commercialize research at our universities and encouraged more production of renewable energy. Focus on wind and biofuel will benefit Jasper County's job efforts and Iowa's ag economy. (Read more.)

Photo: The 84th Iowa General Assembly reached final adjournment on May 10, 2012. My fellow freshmen Democrats and I took a photo in the house chamber on our last day of our first two-year assembly. It's great to work with all of you! Reps. Mary Wolfe, John Wittnenben, Ruth Anne Gaines, Dan Muhlbauer, Anesa Kajtazovic, and Chris Hall.

The End Is Near By Dan Kelley, May 4, 2012.

While most legislators went home last week, I've been working at the Capitol every day. I serve on the conference committee for the Administration and Regulation budget. As a conferee, I am "on call" for meetings at any time. However, as the days pass, fewer legislators are actually involved in the discussions on this and other budget bills. While conferees wait for meetings to be called, leadership makes decisions in informal discussions. I'm anxious for the process to reach a point where rank-and-file members return to the Capitol for caucus, debate and votes on final budget bills, property tax reform, education proposals and mental health redesign.

I'm committed to working in a bi-partisan manner to find common ground and compromise to reach adjournment.

Iowa's manufacturing index shows 28 consecutive months of growth and predicted Iowa's unemployment rate would drop again this summer. The legislature's non-partisan fiscal agency released a report this week showing state revenues are beating estimates by $85 million this year with revenues running almost 7 percent higher than last year. The strong revenues also mean the state will have a record $595.5 million set aside in Iowa's savings accounts. But still, too many Iowans are out of work and the job is far from done.

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak at the Izaak Walton League annual state meeting held this year at the clubhouse in Newton. I serve on the House Natural Resources Committee and the Iowa Parks Foundation Trust Board. It was nice to be the messenger of good news to the sportsmen and sportswomen. Starting next year, Iowans will be able to buy three-year hunting and fishing licenses and save some money. Also, you can buy a permit to use a third fishing line. They were happy to hear that efforts to sell state-owned land, much of it used for wildlife habitat, have been abandoned by the legislators considering it.

They showed support for my bill concerning aquatic invasive species. Asian carp, both silver carp and big head carp, could negatively impact recreation and the ecology of the Iowa Great Lakes. They are often referred to as "flying fish" because when airborne their gills mimic wings. Ecologically, these fish are filter feeders and will compete with young fish for food and create havoc in the aquatic environment. After I introduced my bill, 55 silver carp and 82 big head carp were caught by a commercial fishing company in East Okoboji Lake. Iowa must catch up with effective efforts already established in Minnesota and Wisconsin. If you'd like to see a fisherman's homemade video of Asian Carp in the Wabash River of Indiana go here. (Read more.)

Photo: The last staircase leading up the cupola in the Iowa State Capitol Building; photo by Jason Mrachina of Inspired Photography.

The Fallon Forum

The Fallon Forum is now also a webcast via YouTube. I was a guest on the May 3 program. I discuss the extension of the legislative session.

Capital Comments

Economic Recovery Continues, May 4, 2012

Legislators and the Governor have agreed to a budget of about $6.2 billion for next year. The proposed budget will leave the state with a projected surplus of $200 million at the end of the year. The state budget is already in solid shape as revenues continue to rise and the state is projected to end the fiscal year in June with $610 million in savings and a budget surplus of over $330 million.

Iowa’s manufacturing index has showed positive growth for 28 straight months. The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group expects unemployment in Iowa to drop below 5% by the middle of 2012. (Read more.)

Iowa lawmakers send four budget bills to governor

Associated Press, May 7, 2012. I opposed the administration and regulation bill's provision that moves the Office of Drug Control Policy into the Dept. of Public Safety because law enforcement officials in my district have concerns about this change. I want a budget that will work for and protect all Iowans.

H. F. 2074 to exempt certain environmental testing services from sales tax

I'm co-sponsoring sales tax exemption legislation that is beneficial to environmental testing businesses such as Keystone, which is in Newton. Read the bill online.

Dan Kelley, Sheriff Balmer, and others take action in kennel issue

Mary LaHay, President, Iowa Friends of Companion Animals: "A Jasper County "puppy mill" kennel that houses 100-plus dogs was subjecting them to horrendous conditions. Area residents turned to State Rep. Dan Kelley for help in the matter. He went above and beyond in listening to his constituents’ concerns, ensuring that the appropriate officials were consulted and action was taken. This is the mark of a great representative. We appreciate Rep. Kelley’s and Sheriff Balmer’s attention to this matter and hope that residents in the district continue to support them. To learn more about Iowa’s puppy mill issue, visit www.iafriends.org." (Read more.)

Donna Jackson, Board member, JCARL, Humane Society: "Rep. Kelley is on the Ag Committee at the state house and recognizes the economic importance of the livestock industry to our state. However, when he witnessed the heart wrenching condition of these dogs, he readily used his knowledge of our state’s laws to try and help them. He and the others were able to ease the conditions in which the dogs are living. They will monitor the continued state of their care. Please, make an opportunity and thank Emily Bostwick, Sheriff Balmer, Deputy Halferty, Jacobsen and Rep. Kelley for their compassion and hard work. Jasper County is better because of them!" (Read more.)

Photo: At the March 17th Legislative Coffee, hosted by the Jasper County League of Women Voters.

Kelley 'disappointed' in school reform bill

Rep. Dan Kelley, D-Newton, expressed disappointment of the passage of a massive education reform measure in the Iowa House on Wednesday. "I'm disappointed several common sense, research-based ideas supported by many teachers, students and parents were not included. We should have included plans to lower class sizes in kindergarten through third grade and approved an early family literacy plan."

Kelley said the plan contains controversial ideas opposed by many educators and parents, including a proposal to hold back third graders who don't pass a reading test and eliminating standards for schools.

Kelley did, however, support some aspects of the legislation including expanding the statewide preschool program from 10 to 15 hours per week and expanding Advanced Placement on-line classes. "We found agreement on competency-based education, which is a revolutionary way of providing education with more personalized instruction and the progress of students guided by mastery of subjects." (Read more.)

Kelley calls for upgrades to nuclear power plant safety regulations

Rep. Dan Kelley, D-Newton, on March 12 signed a letter urging the federal government to reassess the current nuclear power plant regulations to improve their safety. "Nuclear power plants in the United States are aging, including Iowa's facility in Palo, and are, therefore, becoming more vulnerable to natural disasters," Kelley said. "The Fukushima power plant disaster, occurring one year ago, highlighted continuing nuclear power plant vulnerabilities worldwide." Kelley is a member of the bipartisan National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL). As a member, he urged the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency to resolve safety issues at nuclear plants. (Read more.)

KELLEY 2012 RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

I want to thank you for your support. Whether you made a financial contribution, participated in phone-banks, canvassed our neighborhoods, put a sign in your yard, or shared your thoughts with me at the Capitol, your efforts are appreciated. I am excited that on November 6 at Jasper County Community Center, I formally announced my plans to run for re-election in 2012, and on March 21, 2012, I filed my nomination papers.

This is a campaign about us, our communities, and a strong future for Jasper County and Iowa. It is also the continuation of the work you elected me to do. Jasper County residents want quality schools, progress in economic development, a healthy environment, clean-government, and quality, affordable health care. These are my priorities.

In order to be successful, I ask for your continued support. How can you help? Your generous financial contribution of $25, $50, $125, $250, or other amount, will greatly help secure victory on Election Day 2012. Contributions should be made out to: Dan Kelley for State Representative, PO Box 333, Newton IA 50208. Please consider making a financial contribution now. As the campaign continues, your volunteer efforts will be appreciated. Feel free to contact me anytime at 641-521-9260 or dankelley@mchsi.com. Visit this website for updates and ‘friend’ me on Facebook.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Kelley 2012 Re-election Campaign

Your generous financial contribution of $25, $50, $125, $250, or other amount, will greatly help secure victory on Election Day 2012. Contributions should be made out to: Dan Kelley for State Representative, and mailed to PO Box 333, Newton IA 50208.
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Explore the USDA's free online
Atlas of Rural and Small Town America

Jackson Pollock's
Mural (1943)

I’d like to encourage you to visit the Jackson Pollack exhibit at the DM Arts Center. A remarkable Pollack piece, Mural, valued at $150 million was donated to the University of Iowa in 1951 by renowned patron of the arts, Peggy Guggenheim (daughter of Benjamin Guggenheim, who went down with the Titanic in 1912). Mural is considered an extremely important work in the history of American art. Read more.

I WILL BE A VOICE FOR YOU IN DES MOINES

As your State Representative, I will focus on serving the needs of our communities, not the special interests. I will put your needs before those of party leaders. In Des Moines, I will fight to:

*Bring good-paying jobs to our communities,
*Ensure our schools prepare our kids for the 21st century economy,
*Expand support for veterans and their families, and
*Stand up to special interests on behalf of seniors.