Banks having productive first session as rookie state senator

Huntington County Tab:

Sen. Jim Banks, (R-Columbia City) filed his 21st and final piece of legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 11, marking a productive first session for the senator.

Since the Indiana General Assembly opened its session on Jan. 4, Banks has filed bills on topics ranging from the elimination of the death tax to changing how school board elections are conducted. The deadline for senators to file bills was Thursday, Jan. 13, and the 2011 session must be adjourned by April 30.

This is the first time Banks has held a state senate seat. He won an uncontested 2010 general election to replace former Sen. Gary Dillon (R-Columbia City) in representing District 17. The district includes all of Huntington and Whitley counties, over half of Wabash County and small pockets of Grant, Kosciusko and Allen counties.....