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November 29, 2018

Buffalo Law Journal: “Coalition looks to reform voting in New York”

“You are a citizen who has the intelligence to vote; you should be able to decide how and where you want to vote,” said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, a group that’s working with the Let NY Vote coalition. Lerner spoke Wednesday night about early voting …

November 25, 2018

Buffalo News: "Another Voice: Good Food Purchasing Program elevates student nutrition"

"Each day, the Buffalo Public Schools serves roughly 25,000 breakfasts, 28,000 lunches, and 5,000 snacks. That is a lot of food! Thus, the choices that BPS makes in purchasing its food have a large impact, not only on the health and wellness of its student but also on businesses, workers, animals …

November 5, 2018

Buffalo Law Journal News: "Report prompts Erie County attorneys to push for bail reform"

"Backed by the findings of a report on how judges in Erie County issue bail, attorneys and a local legislator are pushing for change. “It’s in everybody’s best interest to reduce the incarcerated population as much as we can,” said Kevin Stadelmaier, chief attorney at …

November 3, 2018

Help Crown Buffalo's Next Shakespearean Idol

Have you ever yearned to see Buffalo’s civic leaders compete with each other by performing great speeches and poems by William Shakespeare? Of course you have! On Monday, December 3, Buffalo will crown its next Shakespearean Idol at the Buffalo History Museum. Esteemed civic leaders …

October 29, 2018

WGRZ News: “Activists hope new ‘Cultural Landscape’ report will preserve Outer Harbor

"It's a great moment for citizens to get involved because there's a lot of positive momentum," said Sam McGavern, Executive Director of Partnership for the Public Good. "There's a real sense of a vision for a beautiful 21st century park on the Outer Harbor."

October 29, 2018

WBFO News: "New report highlights 'cultural significance' of Buffalo's Outer Harbor"

"A coalition formed to resist a proposal to privatize and redevelop public lands along Buffalo's Outer Harbor released a report Monday which, according to those who commissioned it, highlights the cultural significance of that part of the city's waterfront. It's part of an effort to preserve green …

October 26, 2018

Intersection of Human Rights and the Environment

Please join the environmental law and human rights committee of the Erie County Bar Association to discuss climate issues and human rights. Speakers include Sam Magavern of PPG and Arthur Wheaton of the WNY labor and environmental programs of Cornell University. Topics range from state and local …

October 22, 2018

WBFO News: "Employment racial disparity persists among minorities"

"Things are looking good on the jobs front as unemployment rates have been on a national downswing. But, local experts say it’s not all good news. In Erie County, research shows, black and hispanic unemployment rates are higher than national averages. It’s orientation day for a new crop …

October 15, 2018

New Fact Sheet on Rental Housing Costs in Buffalo

Our new fact sheet summarizes the data currently available on the changing costs of rental housing in Buffalo, NY. It explores six data sources for rent figures and what each one can tell us about Buffalo’s rental market. The sources include U.S. Census data, online rental listing sites, …

October 8, 2018

Buffalo News: “Editorial: State tax incentive is successful, but misused”

"In Buffalo, the developers of the downtown building known as One Canalside received $5.9 million in subsidies because the project meets the mixed-use qualification of 485-a by containing one 900-square-foot apartment inside an eight-story building. Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, and Sam …

September 29, 2018

Buffalo News: "Critics take aim at Benderson over city tax break — for one apartment"

"When the public invests money in things, it should yield a benefit for the community," Magavern said. "It should be providing affordable housing and quality jobs for city residents, not just padding the profit of wealthy developers."

September 17, 2018

The 501(c)(3) Advocacy Lab Follow Up

On Wednesday, September 12, 2018, Buffalo Commons, a joint collaboration between PPG and Cornell in Buffalo, hosted its first Lab in what will be a series of educational programs beginning this fall. It was free and open to the public. Sam Magavern, Executive Director of Partnership for the Public …