By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-983050.mp3
Buffalo, NY – New York State Assemblyman Jim Hayes of Amherst has announced his resignation. The veteran republican lawmaker announced Monday that he is resigning effective September 6th.
Hayes said he is leaving to pursue a private sector career in finance and investments.
"I am proud of my years of service in the New York State Assembly, on the Amherst Town Board and as a Williamsville Village Trustee and I am deeply grateful to the voters who permitted me to have this extraordinary opportunity to serve in state and local government," Hayes said.
Hayes said in the last few weeks he was offered, and accepted, a new position that requires a full time commitment. But Hayes did not indicate where he would be working.
Hayes noted that he earned his securities license four years ago and began work as an investment advisor at what was then A.G. Edwards, Inc.
"Without a doubt, my greatest accomplishment in the Assembly was serving as the Ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, where I have always been a leading spokesman for reform and fiscal restraint in state government. It is gratifying for me to now see so many of my ideas come to fruition under the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo," said Hayes.
Hayes was first elected to the Assembly in 1998 and has been the senior Republican on the Assembly's fiscal committee for the last six years.