LKM
TOPEKA – It is with great pride and sincere appreciation that the League of Kansas Municipalities announces Representative Jim Kelly (R-Independence) has been selected to receive the 2017 Intergovernmental Leadership Award. Representative Kelly was selected for the honor for his outstanding leadership and support of issue affecting local governments. Since 1995, the Intergovernmental Award seeks to honor those who support cooperation between the various levels of government. Recipients of this award have demonstrated, in both promise and practice, an understanding that public servants at all levels serve the same citizens and should work together to provide the best service possible.
“Chairman Kelly is everything constituents and colleagues could want in a legislator,” said League of Kansas Municipalities Executive Director Erik Sartorius. “He listens, builds consensus and asks questions to root out issues that might not otherwise surface and be discussed. He wants to hear all views on a topic, and truly wants to make sure legislation avoids unintended consequences whenever possible.”
Representative Kelly is a life-long Kansan who was born and raised in Independence. In January of 2011, he was appointed to fill a Kansas House seat being vacated by Jeff King. Representative Kelly was re-elected in 2012, 2014 and 2016 to the Kansas House of Representatives.
Representative Kelly was chosen in 2017 to chair the House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee (FIPC). He also serves on the House Health and Human Services Committee, Taxation and Insurance committees. As the chair of the FIPC, and a member of the committee for his full tenure in the House, Representative Kelly has extensively researched KPERS and knew changes were needed to address laws surrounding public employees and Working After Retirement legislation. His work, both leading up to and in the 2017 legislative session, led to significant changes in Working After Retirement legislation and allowed the same rules to apply to all levels of public employees at the state, local and school level.
“I wanted to make it easier for municipalities to hire qualified retirees and level the playing field for cities, counties and local government entities,” said Representative Kelly. “I feel that, by discussing the issues ahead of time and working together, we developed good legislation. I especially appreciate how gracious the League and the Kansas Association of Counties have been in helping me understand the issues.”
League Legal Counsel Amanda Stanley worked with Representative Kelly during the 2017 legislative session.
“Representative Kelly went above-and-beyond to identify potential pros and cons to the new rules for Working After Retirement,” said Stanley. “It was clear, through his actions, that his goal was to enact quality legislation that would benefit his constituents.”
During his time in the Legislature, Representative Kelly is proud of his work developing the Rural Opportunity Zone Program and his efforts to expand healthcare initiatives in rural Kansas.
“I consider it a big accomplishment that we were able to expand the Rural Opportunity Zone Program and I see the success of the program in Montgomery County regularly,” said Kelly.
Representative Kelly was also instrumental in passing a compact that allowed Kansas to participate with 12 other states for medical licensure. He also plans to work on healthcare issues in the 2018 session with a specific interest in expanding telehealth and payment parity in rural areas of Kansas.
“I live in a community where our local hospital closed,” said Kelly. “I am interested in looking for opportunities to ensure access to healthcare for Kansans, especially those in rural and small communities.”
Although Representative Kelly now serves the Montgomery County community in the Kansas Legislature, he spent six years in local government on the Independence City Commission and served eight years on the Independence School Board.
Outside of the legislature, Representative Kelly has worked in the banking industry since 1969. He has been active in economic development in his community and has worked throughout the communities of Coffeyville, Independence and Cherryvale.
“I have been very fortunate, and honored, to be able to serve my home community and county in various ways for over 40 years,” said Kelly. “Now, as a member of the legislature, I am truly blessed to represent everyone in District 11. I am very appreciative to have the opportunity to get to know and work with many other legislators, local and statewide leaders and many organizations, like the League, that are all truly striving daily to do their best for the State of Kansas and everyone we all represent.”
Representative Kelly is married to Eloise Meyer-Kelly and has one daughter, Beth. He holds degrees from Independence Community College and Emporia State University. Representative Kelly also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.