Final Thoughts on the RPI Vote
January 14, 2009 by Danny Carroll · 2 Comments
A few days have passed since the vote for a new State Chairman by the Republican State Central Committee last Saturday. By now most observers know that Matt Strawn was elected by a vote of 10 to 7. I was honored to be a part of that process and of course disappointed with the results. I really thought I had nine votes as the committee prepared to convene Saturday morning. However, one person who had said he would vote for me changed his mind. Another member of the committee voted for Matt without saying anything thus the 7 remaining votes.
While I am disappointed and I feel bad for the hundreds of supporters that worked on my behalf, I do believe things have a way of working out. We cannot know the future and I still have faith in our system of government. I know it is frustrating and inefficient. People fuss and fight with one another. But through it all our state and nation has survived. Our system of checks and balances seems to be effective in both party party politics as well as government. Just the fact that we had significant competition for the chair position was a good thing.
I may have fallen short in my quest for State Party Chair but I am not ready to quit the fight for conservative values. The next few weeks and months will allow some time for reflection as Joy and I consider the future. I wish to thank everyone who contacted central committee members on my behalf. I was truly humbled by the support I received.
Finally wish Chairman Strawn all the best as he takes over leadership of the party.
Danny’s RPI Conference Video
January 4, 2009 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
Friends,
I was fortunate to get some video from the recent Republican Party of Iowa forum. Below are my opening remarks. Thanks to all who attended and to RPI for hosting the event. -Danny
On Party Unity
January 2, 2009 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
I read a letter to the editor in this morning’s Des Moines Register about Republican Party renewal or reorganization. The letter, by Chris Atchison from Iowa City, applauded Maggie Tinsman for her proposal of an agenda that is “open and inclusive”. Mr. Atchison laments those social conservatives that refuse to compromise their beliefs.
This ongoing tension within the party is perplexing because we all know that in order to advance any agenda we must be successful at the ballot box. At the same time we understand that party members are usually motivated by closely held beliefs and philosophies that allow for very little compromise. So what are we to do? How can we be united when we are so divided?
This problem is not unique to the Republican Party. Almost all organizations are made up of individuals and small groups that are passionate about their cause. Those who are successful find a way to bring their members together as a team.
The answer I think has a lot to do with respect. As a member of the House Republican Majority Caucus for twelve years I worked with dozens of fellow Republicans that did not share my views on abortion, marriage, family, taxes, spending, health care, gun control, gambling and the list goes on. But we always knew that we had to come together in unity in order for any of us to advance the causes we cared about. We worked together whenever we could. When issues separated us we continued to show respect even if we were to be working and voting against each other. We knew another day would come when we were together on a different issue.
Mutual respect comes from trust. Trust comes from transparency, wisdom and consistency regardless of how often or how loud it is expressed. Respected leadership will bring unity and unity will advance our conservative agenda, broad and inclusive as it may be.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=09eadcef-ef52-4490-9281-e5370aa68142)
Local Taxpayers Beware - Commentary on DSM Register piece
December 29, 2008 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
“Plan Would Give Iowa Cities Power to Tax Incomes”
The Register’s Jason Clayworth writes, “Cities would have the power to tax Iowans’ incomes as a way to reduce the reliance on property taxes under a proposal that will be pitched to lawmakers next month.”
Local taxpayers need to beware.
The latest suggestion to allow local governments to tax incomes in order to reduce the reliance on property taxes is troubling. I say troubling because I do not believe there will be any “reduced reliance on property tax”. Most likely the local taxpayer will continue to pay the same or higher property tax and an additional tax on income as well.
If the legislature wants to debate the idea of exchanging one tax for another so that the net impact on the taxpayer is neutral to positive then that is another matter. The only way to protect against this result is to permanently remove from the Iowa Code a requirement for certain services to be paid for by the property tax. Any proposal to allow local governments to tax income should at least be coupled with the removal of an equal or greater property tax requirement. However, the nature of government is to only talk about reducing taxes and in the end the taxpayer finds out they end up paying more.
For the most part this discussion is not about reducing the reliance on any tax, it is about finding a way for government to take more out of the pocket of the taxpayer.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=f8da127c-a91c-47af-958b-ae5f34c33dbf)
I’m Danny Carroll…and I’d like to serve as Iowa’s Republican Party Chairman
December 26, 2008 by Danny Carroll · 1 Comment
I have expressed an interest in serving the State Republican Party as its next Chairman.
I look forward to the forum to be held on Saturday December 27th. I admire the effort the committee has made to allow for an open and fair process in the selection of the new Chair.
It will be challenge for the Republican Party of Iowa to overcome the adversity of recent years. But we have been able to do so in the past and will again in the future.
I think it is important that the new chair bring County Chairs and the State Central Committee together in a more inclusive process. There is too much work to be done just to leave key players out of the communication loop. With email, conference calls and the like communication should not be a problem. Travel to Des Moines is not always necessary.
For example many ask about the new Executive Director. The State Chairman usually chooses the new director and informs the committee. I think a sub-committee headed up by the State Chairman should receive resumes and letters of interest from applicants for the position and conduct interviews. That sub-committee then would make a recommendation to the full central committee. This would allow for a healthy process and hopefully result in someone who has a strong base of support from the central committee and Chairman as soon as they start the job. Such a process will continue the practice of open and meaningful communication.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=c9466512-26bd-47ee-8b90-25ccf280a344)
Response to Eric Palmer’s Latest Attacks
October 24, 2008 by Danny Carroll · Comments Off
Friends,
Unfortunately, my opponent has leveled some unfair last minute attacks against my record. I am proud of my voting record and want you to know the whole story. Specifically, Eric Palmer has twisted my record on three issues: the economy, taxes and illegal immigration. Here is just one example:
Myth: No change on taxes
Bill: HF 701( I voted “Aye”)
Fact: I voted for this bill because it gave income tax breaks to ALL Iowans. Especially low income house holds.
My friends, “change” is being thrown around a lot these days. Forget the political slogans, I’m excited for the chance to be your State Rep. so I can put more “change” back in your wallet.
Sincerely,
Danny
Thoughts from the ICCI Forum on Hog Confinements
October 16, 2008 by dannycarroll · Comments Off
The organization known as Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI) held a candidate forum last night in Montezuma, Iowa. Approximately 60 people were in attendance. The main topic of discussion dealt with the regulation of confinement livestock feeding operations (CAFO’s). As most Iowans are aware livestock management and production techniques have changed considerably over the last 20 to 30 years. This has resulted in the concentration of animals in fewer and fewer facilities. The odor often associated with these operations is obviously objectionable to neighbors. On the other hand Iowa is well suited to grain and livestock production. Thousands of jobs are associated with this industry and billions of dollars in our local and state economy. Lawmakers and other officials have been wrestling with the control and regulation of livestock production operations since 1995.
The first question last night asked the political candidates in attendance (State Representative Eric Palmer chose without explanation, not to attend) their views on local county control versus state control of CAFO’s. I offered that counties did not have the staff and resources necessary to regulate such an industry. Moreover they would have to look to the IDNR for consistent environmental protection guidelines which would essentially defer decisions back to the state. State wide regulation and environmental protection, in my opinion is the only way to go.
I also observed that it is too bad the issue has become so polarized. Iowans have in the past and can in this situation come together and negotiate the location and sound management of livestock facilities. Although I am not on the same page as many members of ICCI I found the discussion last night very respectful and productive. If I am elected on November 4th I look forward to working with the ICCI folks in Poweshiek County and local livestock producers in fostering a positive relationship that serves both the needs of farmers and other rural residents.
Danny Carroll
Thoughts from the Recent Candidate Forum
October 15, 2008 by dannycarroll · Comments Off
Several candidates for state and local office participated in a forum last recently sponsored by the Oskaloosa Herald and KBOE radio in Oskaloosa.
Many of the questions dealt with jobs and the economy. As a candidate for the Iowa House I am very concerned with the business environment in Iowa. Many jobs are created by local well established businesses. I visited one such company yesterday in Oskaloosa. The President of that company told me that the legislature’s effort to undermine Iowa’s Right to Work law, that has been on the books since 1947, will drive jobs and investment out of the state. This opinion is shared by the Wall Street Journal when it said lawmakers in Iowa could not chose a better way to discourage job creation, than to undermine the Right to Work law.
Representative Eric Palmer said “I have never voted to eliminate the Right to Work law.” He is technically correct. However, he did vote to force Iowans to pay union dues even if they do not want to join a union, which does the same thing. The net effect is to drive jobs from the state and say to businesses looking at Iowa to go elsewhere. I disagree and if elected will work hard to protect the Right to Work in Iowa without being forced to pay union dues.
A citizen in attendance last evening asked Representative Palmer about the out-of-state donations to his campaign by homosexual activists. Representative Palmer said he had no “litmus test” for donations to his campaign. He will accept money from anyone who wants to donate. That is a reasonable response. It is fair to say, however, that the reason homosexual activists donate to Representative Palmer’s campaign is that he supports their agenda. He refused to support a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage in Iowa. In August 2007 a Polk County judge ruled Iowa’s law on marriage as unconstitutional. The people should have the chance to vote on the matter and Representative Palmer would not allow that to happen. I disagree. If the district court says our law is unconstitutional then let the people vote on the matter. Ours is a government by the people not by the judges.
The forum last evening was spirited exchange of ideas and philosophy that I hope will inform the voter in these last few weeks before the election.
Respectfully,
Danny Carroll, Candidate
Iowa House District 75
The Smoking Ban…
October 9, 2008 by dannycarroll · Comments Off
I’m often asked about my thoughts on the smoking ban that was recently enacted in Iowa and supported by my opponent Eric Palmer. I thought I’d take this opportunity to detail my position.
Like many Iowans I am tired of government imposing on private citizens and businesses more and more regulations. The ban on smoking that has been imposed by the state government is just one more example of this intrusion.
I can understand why many people do not like cigarette smoke. I am one of those people. However, if a private business wants to allow smoking that should be their choice. If their customers don’t like it, they can make their displeasure known and/or patronize a competitor that does not allow smoking.
If the government wants to ban smoking on government property – fine. But it should leave private business alone. Letting casinos off the hook is most disturbing. Either everybody is included or no one should be.
I look forward to working with you to limit such government intrusions in the future.
Sincerely,
Danny
Great Parade Moments
October 6, 2008 by dannycarroll · Comments Off
All,
We’ve had great turnout and a lot of fun this year at the parades around the district. Thanks to all who made it happen! -Danny
