Next among our favorites to run this year is Jennifer Whalen, who is running for Assembly in the 110th District, which now includes parts of Albany and Schenectady Counties.  She is seeking to replace Bob Reilly, who is retiring. She lost a close race to him last time, and this time there are four - count 'em - FOUR liberals running against each other to face off with her.  We'll take her every time.
 
 
NYFG: Jennifer, what's your background?
JW:  I have been in both the private and public sectors. I'm a lawyer with a degree from Albany Law School and, having started in private practice, I moved to public service in the NYS Attorney General's office.  There I helped tackle mismanaged State authorities and prosecuted Medicaid fraud.  After years of public service, I transitioned back to the private sector and opened my own real estate brokerage firm.  I also have volunteered for charities such as Tru-Life (Breast Cancer Awareness) and the Red Cross of Northeastern New York.
 
 
NYFG:  Why run for Assembly?
JW:  I have been watching friends and business associates move to more affordable states.  I can't sit on the sidelines and watch any longer.  Years of high taxes, excessive regulation and inaction have plagued New York.  Instead of the State being noted for its success, it has the dishonorable distinction of being ranked rock bottom for taxes and business-friendliness in national studies.  This is what is driving away our businesses and our residents.  I am confident I can make a difference.  I draw from my experience in the public sector as proof that we can rein in Medicaid costs, clean-up mismanagement in government and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in our system - all of which cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year. 
 
 
NYFG:  What three things would you like to accomplish in office?
JW:  New York State has both a short- and long-term employment problem.  The first relates to the national economic downturn.  But the second problem is structural and New York-centered: namely, the taxes, regulations, and mandates pursued by anti-business, anti-growth politicians in Albany.  As Assemblywoman, I intend to, first, tackle the job of removing the regulations holding back small business job creators.  Next, the State must cut tax rates on productive behavior - e.g. starting a business, buying a home, investing in new equipment - in order to broaden the tax base and generate more revenue than the current anti-growth tax code.  Finally, I will reform our Medicaid program, for which we pay more than $1 billion per week.  That's more than any other large state, including California with nearly double the population.New York taxpayers pick up the tab for this reckless spending, and nothing has done more to swamp economic recovery than our taxes, regulations and mandates like our Medicaid program.  Albany has hung a "Going Out of Business" sign on the State. We deserve better.  I will focus on real economic recovery by cutting taxes, curbing Medicaid and wasteful spending, and removing the barriers to sustained economic growth.  
 
We hope you will support rising young fiscal conservatives like Jennifer Whalen for NYS Assembly. If you'd like to support Jennifer's campaign, click here.
 
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New Yorkers for Growth
 
 
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