Senator April N.M. Baskin proudly represents the 63rd Senate District in a historic appointment as the first woman and Black woman to represent Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and Lackawanna. A native Buffalonian and dedicated public servant, Senator Baskin has built her career on advancing economic equity, affordable housing, and systemic justice for underserved communities. Her experience as Chairwoman of the Erie County Legislature and her record of transformative achievements uniquely positions her to deliver meaningful results for the residents of her district and across New York State.

Born and raised on the West Side of Buffalo, Senator Baskin is a proud graduate of Buffalo Public Schools and earned her degree from Empire State College. She began her public service career in 2017 when she was elected to the Erie County Legislature. Upon being sworn into office in 2018, she was elected Majority Leader by her peers. In 2019, she made history as the youngest legislator and the first freshman ever to serve as Chair of the Erie County Legislature, a position she held throughout her tenure.

During her time in the Legislature, Senator Baskin championed policies to address racial and economic inequities, strengthen infrastructure, and empower small businesses. As a Senator, she continues to fight for lasting opportunities and meaningful reforms that uplift the residents of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and Lackawanna.

One of her signature achievements as a county leader was the creation of the Erie County Urban Initiative Program, which invested over $13 million in capital funding into historically underserved communities, including Buffalo, Lackawanna, and Tonawanda. This program addressed infrastructure inequities and brought much-needed resources to neighborhoods that had long been overlooked. Senator Baskin also led efforts to secure $4.5 million for housing and mixed-use developments on Jefferson Avenue following the May 14, 2022 terrorist attack in Buffalo. This funding revitalized the historic hub of Buffalo’s Black economy and laid the foundation for a stronger, more equitable future.

Senator Baskin has been a tireless advocate for affordable housing. She passed Erie County’s first-ever Affordable Housing Law, establishing a sustainable pathway for future funding and development of affordable housing projects. She also directed affordable housing funds to emerging developers in Buffalo, ensuring that smaller-scale projects led by underrepresented developers had the support needed to succeed.

In addition to her work on housing and infrastructure, Senator Baskin has been a champion for economic empowerment. During negotiations for the Buffalo Bills stadium deal in 2023, she secured Erie County’s first-ever NFL Community Benefits Agreement, which included a $100 million investment to support marginalized business owners and community development. Following this success, she launched the Level Up Initiative, a program designed to provide wraparound services and corporate contract opportunities for disadvantaged business owners, helping them scale their businesses and access new markets.

At the state level, Senator Baskin has expanded her work in three vital areas: Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (MWBE) reform, lead poisoning prevention, and small business development.

Senator Baskin’s legislative accomplishments extend beyond housing and economic development. She sponsored and passed the Erie County Language Access Act, ensuring critical government services are accessible through interpretation and translation for Erie County’s diverse population. After just one year, the same bill was passed in the State Senate.

She also authored the Office of Health Equity Act, which addresses health disparities and aims to improve outcomes for underserved populations. Additionally, she passed the Erie County Public Art Act which funds cultural and artistic projects that celebrate community diversity.

In her freshman year as a State Senator, Senator Baskin sponsored “Desha’s Law,” which requires a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan to be implemented in every public school in New York State. The groundbreaking bill was passed unanimously and signed into law at a ceremony hosted by Governor Hochul in July 2025.  

During her second year in the Senate, Senator Baskin accepted an appointment to serve as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, a key post that aims to focus on strengthening local economies and supporting small businesses across New York. She is also a member of several other Senate committees: Procurement and Contracts; Cities 2; Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Park and Recreation; Local Government; Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs; and Women’s Issues. 

Her leadership and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition on the City & State Upstate Power 100 List, the Buffalo Business First Power Women 200 List, a Buffalo Business First Women of Purpose honoree (2023) and the American Association of University Women’s Achievement Award Winner (2025). 

She has also been honored by the Buffalo Urban League and the Buffalo Black Achievers organization for her long-standing commitment to equity and justice.

A devoted mother of two school-aged children, Senator Baskin is committed to improving the lives of residents in the 63rd District. Her legislative priorities remain focused on expanding affordable housing, creating economic opportunities, improving public safety through criminal justice reform, addressing health disparities, and supporting public art and culture. She brings a bold, results-driven approach to the New York State Senate, ensuring that the voices of her constituents are heard and their needs – rooted in fairness, inclusion, and opportunity – are met.