Steve Kelley

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Steve Kelley (born January 8, 1953) is a former Minnesota state Senator. In 2006, he received the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement for Attorney General. Kelley served in the Minnesota Senate from 1997-2007; he previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1993-97. He is currently the Director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

During his tenure in the senate, Kelley authored legislation to defend against identity theft, prevent companies from "phishing" for personal information online, and require hospitals to report medical errors. He was the chair of the Education Committee and a strong advocate for schools.

Kelley has been a proponent of a new stadium deal for the Minnesota Twins, and was a principal sponsor of the controversial 0.15 percent sales tax increase in Hennepin County, the proceeds of which will be used to fund approximately three-fourths of the projected cost of the new ballpark in addition to a number of transit projects in the metro area. This plan also required voter approval.

Kelley received his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. from the Columbia Law School.

He practised law for 20 years. During this time, Kelley represented clients who could not afford an attorney, public housing tenants, and plaintiffs in business disputes. He served as a consumer advocate on numerous boards in Minnesota.

In early 2007, Kelley joined the Blandin FoundationBroadband Strategy Board, which is working towards a broadband vision for Minnesota: To ensure a high quality of life and a globally competitive future for its citizens, businesses and communities, Minnesota is committed to making the necessary investment to become a world leader in the universal deployment and use of ultra high-speed next generation broadband.

He is married and has two children.