Chairwoman Baskin Has Passed Her 18t Local Law Since Taking Office Six Years Ago

Passage of the Erie County Affordable Housing Law Demonstrates How April Baskin Has Changed the Culture of the Erie County Legislature

The Hon. April Baskin

Recently, the Erie County Legislature passed the Erie County Affordable Housing bill. This law authorizes the County to fund the development of affordable housing throughout Erie County.

According to US Census Data, 28% of Erie County residents are “housing burdened.” This means that these residents are spending more than 30% of their income on housing, which is a benchmark set by the federal government for how much a household should be spending on housing. The Legislature declaring that affordable housing is a public purpose that Erie County should consider addressing is just the first step in a complex process on figuring out how we can assist alleviating the housing burden that is impacting our residents.

According to US Census Data, 28% of Erie County residents are “housing burdened.” This means that these residents are spending more than 30% of their income on housing, which is a benchmark set by the federal government for how much a household should be spending on housing. The Legislature declaring that affordable housing is a public purpose that Erie County should consider addressing is just the first step in a complex process on figuring out how we can assist alleviating the housing burden that is impacting our residents.

The passage of this local law marks the 18th law passed under the leadership of Chairwoman April Baskin, who served as Majority Leader from 2018- 2019 and the Chairperson of the body since 2019. Baskin has relied on her personal experience when crafting much of the legislation that has been passed.

Highlights of the legislation the Baskin has shepherded through the legislature include:

• The Erie County Fair Housing law. Baskin fought hard for the restoration of a single word in the legislation, because she remembered her experiences looking for apartments as a single mother.

• The Erie County Conversion Therapy Ban. This law banned conversion therapy for minors in the county, protecting their physical and psychological well-being.

• The Erie County Workforce Development and Diversification New York State Certified Worker Training Program. Speaking to residents in her district, she realized many were going through apprenticeships without gaining practical knowledge. Work on this law set the groundwork for the Construction Coordinating Agreement and its carve-outs for the Bills stadium construction.

• Corrections Specialist Advisory Board. A version of this body, which brings in experts with experience in public safety to advise the legislature on matters relating to criminal justice and the operations of Erie County’s jails, failed to pass four times. Baskin developed strong relationships with her colleagues and passed the measure in 2018.

• Consumer Protection Law of 2019. To better advocate for the residents of Erie County, this law created a Division of Consumer Protection within the Department of Public Advocacy and transferred the Bureau of Weights and Measures to the Division of Consumer Protection.

• Erie County Solar Power Improvement Act of 2019 was passed in an effort to support renewable energy and reduce the carbon footprint of the County.

• Energize NY Open CPACE Financing Program of Erie County provides clean energy financing to qualified property owners in Erie County contributing to the County’s effort to achieve energy efficiency and renewable energy goals to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

• Establishing an Office of Health Equity. COVID-19 disproportionately affected district 2 and marginalized communities. Office of Health Equity created to evaluate a wide variety of specific health outcomes among diverse populations to fully understand the depth of health disparities in Erie County.

• MWBE Business Utilization. Any contractors awarded contracts by Erie County must intentionally create economic opportunities for MWBEs. Her experience in passing this law would help inform her in advocacy in making sure a community benefits agreement would be a part of the new Bills lease agreement.

• Increased Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans. This legislation increased the threshold on exemptions for veteran property owners, demonstrating our community’s appreciation for their service.

• Providing Property Tax Exemptions for Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs. These men and women put their lives on the line for us, and Chair Baskin was proud to provide them with a break on their property taxes up to 10%.

• Public Art Bill. Legislator Baskin is an artist. She knows the struggles of local artists. This law requires 1% of the cost of capital building projects be set aside in a pot for public art so that local artists can have county funds allocated to countywide artistic beautification projects and allowing local artists to bid on county contracts the same way other small business owners are able to.

• Language Access Bill. The population growth in Erie County is due to the increased number of immigrants and refugees arriving. It is imperative that our new residents feel seen and heard and that they are able receive the necessary county services in the language most comfortable to them.