Assemblyman Jim Hayes was elected in 1999 to represent the 148th Assembly District, which encompasses parts of Erie and Niagara counties. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Canisius College and worked as Trustee and Deputy Mayor of the Village of Williamsville before being elected to the Assembly. He previously served as Director of Development for Catholic Charities of Buffalo and as Director of Alumni Relations and Admissions Counselor at Canisius College. He was given an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Amherst’s Daemen College in recognition for his service to the community. In Albany, Hayes is the Ranking Republican on the Assembly Ways & Means Committee, where he fights to keep taxes low and reduce government spending.