Merritt Named IBA Legislator of the Year

Saturday, July 19, 2014
IBA Communications

Merritt Named IBA Legislator of the Year

Sen. Jim Merritt, R-District 31, has been honored as 2014 IBA Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA). The award was presented by Amber R. Van Til, IBA senior vice president-government relations, at the Association’s Annual Convention in French Lick, Indiana, on Sept. 30.

Sen. Merritt was recognized for his longstanding support of a strong business and banking environment in Indiana throughout his years of public service. In particular he has been instrumental in addressing the issues of foreclosures and abandoned housing. Merritt was supportive of last year’s passage of SB 433 which, among other provisions, streamlines the transfer ofcertain properties unsold at a tax sale to parties able to repair and maintain the properties. Merritt also has helped to implement the Hardest Hit Fund in Indiana, a foreclosure prevention program.

Elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1990, Sen. Merritt holds leadership positions as chair of the Senate Majority Caucus and of the Utilities Committee. Additionally he is a member of the committees on Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs; Public Policy; Rules and Legislative Procedure; and Joint Rules. He is active with the Indiana Historical Society and the Friends of the Indiana State Archives, and he has authored a book, Passing the Torch: Preserving Indiana’s Heritage. A resident of Indianapolis, Merritt is vice president of corporate affairs for the Indiana Rail Road Company and a graduate of Indiana University.

“It is an honor to be named Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Bankers Association for my work in addressing foreclosures and abandoned housing,” said Sen. Merritt. “My goal is to help struggling homeowners regain economic footing for the sake of their families, neighborhoods and communities and, ultimately, for the state of Indiana.”