Former Assemblyman and City of Buffalo Comptroller Mark Schroeder endorses Patrick Burke for State Assembly

Buffalo, NY- City of Buffalo Comptroller and South Buffalo native Mark Schroeder (D-Buffalo) has endorsed Democratic candidate Patrick Burke to represent the 142nd District of the New York State Assembly. Schroeder noted Burke’s many victories on behalf of Western New York families, working across party lines as an independent voice in the Erie County legislature to grow the local economy and create safer communities. 

“When I ran for mayor, there was only one elected official with the political courage to stand by me and that was Legislator Pat Burke. We need someone like Pat who isn't afraid of the political power brokers in Albany. Pat thinks for himself and does the right thing” said Mark Schroeder.

          In his endorsement, Schroeder pointed to Burke’s ability to put forward bi-partisan proposals that have truly made a difference in the lives of Western New Yorkers including writing the first microbead plastics ban in the nation to ensure water quality and protect the Great Lakes for generations to come. In Albany, Burke will build on his “Invest Erie” bill to invest in infrastructure and create good-paying local jobs so hard working New Yorkers can continue to raise their own families here.

“Patrick Burke’s record as an independent has made him a champion for the hardworking families of Western New York. He’s a true public servant who’s worked tirelessly to strengthen our community. Patrick will always be willing to listen to his constituents and get real results on behalf of his district” said Mark Schroeder who represented the same district in the Assembly from 2005-2011.  

“When I first ran for the Erie County Legislature, only one elected official came out and supported me and that was City of Buffalo Comptroller Mark Schroeder. When he ran for mayor, I had to do the same for him. In politics loyalty means everything and I am very proud to receive his endorsement in this race for State assembly” Burke said.

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Statement from Legislator Burke: Restoring Local Control in Education

"Teachers have made their voices heard loud and clear about the current evaluation system. If elected to the New York State Assembly, I will be the voice of parents, students, and teachers in Albany. I promise to fight to fix the teacher evaluation system to return control to local municipalities with no mandates from the state. The needs of each school district are unique so a one size fits all approach hurts rather than helps our students. Evaluations should consider the distinct needs of each school rather than mandating a blanket policy for all. We must listen to those entrusted to educate our children and not limit their ability to teach with increased interference." - Patrick Burke

New York State United Teachers Unanimously Endorse Patrick Burke for NYS Assembly's 142nd District

Buffalo, NY- Last night New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) voted unanimously to endorse Patrick Burke in his candidacy for the New York State Assembly’s 142nd District.

“I am honored to receive NYSUT’s endorsement in this race. NYSUT has over 600,000 members across New York State, and has one of the largest membership bases of teachers in the 142nd District. This endorsement shows my commitment to both labor and education and confirms the strength of my candidacy in this race.”

Burke, an Erie County Legislator who is a member of NYSUT, is the frontrunner in the race for the 142nd District. In his four years in the Legislature, Burke has cultivated an impressive legislative agenda including the first plastic microbead ban in the nation, the PENCE Bill protecting children from the universally discredited “conversion therapy”, and the fight against telecommunication monopolies that control our region’s cable and internet service.

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Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke Announces His Candidacy for the New York State Assembly's 142nd District

Buffalo, NY- Today Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke officially announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly’s 142nd District, which includes South Buffalo and Kaisertown, Lackawanna, West Seneca, and Orchard Park.

“As a community advocate and father of three, I want to see politicians in Albany who aren’t afraid to think independently and have the experience to get things done with integrity. I believe I possess those qualities, and with your support we can work on the things that matter,” Burke said. “I will be running as a Democrat whether there’s a special election in the spring or a general election in the fall. I look forward to listening to, learning from, and hopefully representing the people of the 142nd District in the coming months.”

“When I arrived at County Hall, it was characterized as a place where nothing ever gets done. In my four years serving as a member of the minority caucus, things have certainly changed,” Burke continued. “We were the first county to ban plastic microbeads, paving the way for others to follow suit until a federal ban was enacted. That legislation took over a year to pass, and I worked across the aisle to craft a law with broad support from both sides. I followed that up with the PENCE Bill protecting children by banning the universally discredited form of child abuse: gay conversion therapy. And I stood up to Time Warner Cable’s monopolistic control of our region by forming the Erie County Broadband Network – long before Congress voted to sell Americans’ data to the highest bidder and the FCC’s vote to abandon net neutrality protections. In light of these actions, a county broadband system is more important now than ever. I believe my record of independence, ability to stand up to powerful as well as party interests, and ability to get things done for our community are why it’s time to take this fight to the Assembly.”

To see Burke’s announcement video, click below:

BURKE FOR ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT LINK

Governor Cuomo Heeds Legislator Burke’s Call to Veto S. 6750/ A. 387B- Holding Big Pharma Accountable

Buffalo, NY- Last week Legislator Burke held a press conference calling on Governor Cuomo to veto S. 6750/A. 387B- a bill that if it had been signed would’ve let the pharmaceutical industry off the hook and put the burden of cleaning up pharmaceutical pollution onto taxpayers. Yesterday, he vetoed the bill.

“This is a great victory for Erie County taxpayers. The governor’s veto of this bill means that local municipalities will retain the ability to implement drug drop off programs paid for by the pharmaceutical industry. Programs like this have already been enacted in Rockland County, NY and proposed in both Westchester County, NY and here in Erie County. There is no reason why taxpayers should be asked to subsidize the waste from a multi-trillion dollar industry. Waste that’s being found in our waterways and that contributes to the opioid epidemic. Right now, there are limited options for residents to drop off excess medication in Amherst, Tonawanda, West Seneca, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga. With the Governor’s veto we can finally move to pass the Erie County Pharmaceutical Water Pollution Act which will ensure the expansion of drug drop off sites all over Erie County for all residents” Burke said.

“The opioid epidemic has rocked communities all across our region, and a key piece to combat it is to get these excess medications off the streets. Right now we’re doing that- but my bill will greatly expand the effort and put the financial burden where it belongs- on the industry that pushed for the overprescription of this medication in the first place” Burke said.

Legislator Burke Calls for the Establishment of the Erie County Broadband Network to Combat the FCC's Vote to Repeal Net Neutrality

Legislator Burke says, “State and local government needs to protect consumers from this disastrous net neutrality decision.” Burke founded the Erie County Broadband Committee which has been exploring the feasibility of a public/private high speed internet service in Erie County.

Buffalo, NY- Legislator Patrick Burke is continuing his push for fair and open internet. First, Republicans in Washington gave cable and internet providers the ability to sell consumers private internet data. Now, they have repealed net neutrality which is the needed protection for a fair and open internet. It is now possible for cable companies to decide which websites you can visit.  

“The internet is a place where people apply for jobs and colleges, search for homes, and pay their taxes and it is under attack by the intense lobbying efforts of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Nationally, there are only four ISPs that provide internet to the vast majority of Americans. In my district, there is only one option for my constituents. If the service they receive is terrible or the prices go up each month, there is nothing they can do. The issue is a severe lack of competition” Burke said.

“I proposed a plan for the establishment of the Erie County Broadband Network- as a way to combat the severe lack of competition in our region with regards to internet service. The county or a separate not for profit, would connect the vast amounts of underutilized dark fiber in our region to create a high speed internet network. Rather than operate a single municipal network, we would lease access to internet service providers who have expertise in the field. This allows us to mitigate risk and develop competition in the marketplace. ”

“If an ISP that entered into an agreement with Erie County was selling consumer data, we could turn around and say “you can’t do that and use our infrastructure.” It allows for the public to hold some power over its own resources. There is no reason why the telecommunications companies, some of which have the absolute lowest consumer satisfaction rates in New York should be able to run wild and not be held accountable. I believe we can hold them accountable and I am working to do exactly that” Burke said.

Legislator Burke Calls on Governor Cuomo to Hold Big Pharma Accountable and Veto S.6750/A. 387B

Erie County, NY- Legislator Patrick Burke is calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto S.6750/A.387B a law that if signed by the governor, would strip away local municipalities’ ability to combat the opioid epidemic and ensure clean drinking water for residents. 

“For the past few months I have been working to pass the Erie County Pharmaceutical Water Pollution Act- a bill that would ensure pharmaceutical companies pay their fair share when it comes to the safe disposal of unused prescription drugs. For far too long residents have had to foot the bill of the pharmaceutical lobby by paying for the safe disposal of prescription drugs. Because no robust program exists at the county level, many local towns including some in my own district are left without places to safely dispose of their unused medication. These pills can then get into local drinking water supplies or can fuel the cycle of addiction in the wake of the opioid epidemic” Burke said.

A few months ago, the State Legislature passed a bill that chose to strip away power from local municipalities. Specifically, S.6750/A.387B features a strongly worded preemption clause that bars any local municipalities, including city, town, or county government from issuing any local law or ordinance on “all matters pertaining to drug disposal of controlled substances.” The power now rests solely with the State of New York.

“In light of the evidence provided by local scientists at the Energy & Environment Committee of the Erie County Legislature last month which proved that there are traces of antidepressants in fish brains in the Niagara River- a major conduit between the Great Lakes, and in the wake of the opioid epidemic which has ravaged parts of our communities and has taken countless lives due to the overprescription of opioid drugs, I simply cannot understand how the New York State Legislature could be this reckless in passing this bill. This is nothing more than a heavy-handed power grab by Albany to remove the tools of local government to combat both sides of a public health crisis” Burke said.

“For over two years the pharmaceutical lobby has watched local municipalities pass measures to ensure it pays its fair share with regards to safe drug disposal. Now they want to roll back these measures and keep asking more and more of our residents to pay their own tax dollars to safely dispose of medication. Albany has abandoned its duty to the people it is intended to serve and has chosen to side with industry lobbyists. I call on the governor not to do the same” Burke said.