Columbia City lawmaker also recognized by two organizations for legislative efforts

STATEHOUSE (July 15, 2011)- Leaders of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) this week appointed State Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) to their national Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force to work with state legislators and members of the private sector to develop free-market public fiscal policies.

“I am excited about this opportunity to study and learn from fiscal conservative state legislators from around the country to implement conservative reform to address today’s economic challenges – without implementing tax increases,” Banks said. “While Indiana is one of a handful of states who are fiscally solvent, we have much more work to do to reduce the tax burden on Hoosier families and businesses.”

According to the organization’s website, the task force develops policy to reduce excessive government spending and lower the overall tax burden. The group has developed budget reform policies, tax and expenditure limitations and legislation opposing Internet taxes.

As a voting member, Banks will participate in his first task force meeting during ALEC’s annual conference in New Orleans in August.

Banks said this panel serves as a public policy laboratory where legislators develop model legislation to use across the country.

ALEC officials said Banks was chosen because of his fiscally conservative values and legislative efforts in this year’s session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Banks introduced legislation to eliminate Indiana’s inheritance tax – also known as the death tax – to help attract investments and encourage economic growth. The Columbia City lawmaker said he plans to reintroduce the measure next year to send a positive message to Hoosiers and keep retirees in Indiana. He also championed an amendment to the state’s budget bill giving an automatic taxpayer refund if reserves reached a certain level.

Banks was recently named an “All-Star” by Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. for his efforts to amend Indiana’s Constitution to permanently safeguard worker’s rights to use secret ballots on union authorization votes. The Columbia City lawmaker also ranked among the top 15 of 50 Senate members with his employer-friendly voting pattern by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.