Jim Hayes Assembly - 148th
R, C

Hayes

Here in Amherst, we pay the highest state and local taxes in the nation, 53 percent above the national average. I have never voted to raise taxes and I won't in the future because I know high taxes are driving jobs and families away.

Fighting to cut taxes is my top priority, and this year we expanded the STAR program to include rebate checks for homeowners and seniors; created a $330 per child tax credit for parents; eliminated the marriage penalty; and capped the sales tax on clothing, shoes and gasoline. But it is not enough.

What is needed is massive property tax relief from Albany. I propose increasing STAR to match increased property assessments; stricter prosecution of Medicaid cheats, returning funds recovered from waste, fraud and abuse directly to property taxpayers; cut the top income tax rate for families earning $40,000 or more; and create a 15 percent tax credit for small businesses paying health insurance premiums for their employees.

Unfortunately, my opponent, as ex-supervisor of Amherst, raised taxes, and property tax assessments increased dramatically under her watch. That was wrong.

You previously elected me as trustee/deputy mayor of the Village of Williamsville and as a member of the Amherst Town Board. My private sector experience includes working at Canisius College as director of alumni relations and director of development for Catholic Charities in Buffalo.

Please visit my campaign Web site at www.jimhayes2006.com for more information. It is an honor to serve as your Assemblyman, and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue working for you.