April Baskin

Baskin: more needs to be done in zip codes most affected by COVID-19

By • Apr 16, 2020

Citing a lack of leadership at the federal level, Erie County Legislative Chairwoman April Baskin says the county is taking further initiative to help those most affected by COVID-19.


Erie County looking at ways to improve NFTA passenger safety

By • Apr 15, 2020
File Photo / WBFO News

As Erie County residents continue to adjust to the new normal of COVID-19, county legislature chairwoman April Baskin is looking at how to improve the safety of essential workers who rely on public transportation.


Erie County arts funding process to be simplified

By • Feb 10, 2020

Smaller arts and cultural organizations in Erie County will now have an easier pathway to apply for funding.

April Baskin re-elected Chair of Erie County Legislature

By • Jan 3, 2020
Avery Schneider / WBFO News

Newly-re-elected Erie County Legislature Chair April Baskin said there is a lot for legislators to do this year and she hopes they can work together after a rough election campaign.

Erie County Sheriff's Office to receive funding for body cams

By • Jul 18, 2019
Thomas O'Neil-White

A contentious public safety hearing of the Erie County Legislature Thursday morning ended up with all parties satisfied and a plan in place for sheriff's deputies to wear body cameras by the end of 2019.

A little more talk, a little less action on body cameras for sheriff's deputies

By • Jul 12, 2019
Avery Schneider / WBFO News File Photo

Body cameras for Erie County deputy sheriffs are moving closer to reality, with bids in Wednesday to supply the cameras and the computer capacity to make the system work.

Erie County Corrections Advisory Board expected to be approved next week

By • Jun 14, 2019
Erie County Sheriff's Department

The Erie County Legislature held a public hearing Thursday evening, but not a single speaker showed up. That was unexpected, because the hearing revolved around the plan for a Corrections Advisory Board, which has been controverial.

Flag raising marks the beginning of Juneteenth

By • Jun 7, 2019
Thomas O'Neil-White

Red, black and green against a bright blue Buffalo sky. That is how the flag of liberation looked as it was raised Friday afternoon in Niagara Square to celebrate Juneteenth.

Baskin elected Erie County Legislature chair

By • Apr 29, 2019
Chris Caya/WBFO News

Less than two years ago, April Baskin was a candidate for the Erie County Legislature. On Monday, she was elected its chairwoman, moving up from the majority leader post she gained as soon as she became a legislator.

Erie County message to Albany: End cash bail

By • Dec 21, 2018
File Photo / WBFO News

New York State should slash the number of people who are held after arrest because they can't come up with cash bail. That is the message the Erie County Legislature sent to Albany Thursday.

Sheriff, DA, Clerk, BOE budgets before Erie County legislators today

By • Nov 14, 2018
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard is before the County Legislature Wednesday morning, along with District Attorney John Flynn, Clerk Mickey Kearns and the Board of Elections, on this second day of hearings on County Executive Mark Poloncarz' proposed budget for next year.

Local officials welcome AG investigation of Cummings death

By Marian Hetherly • Sep 21, 2018
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

After several years of talk about the death of Erie County Holding Center inmate India Cummings, local officials are hoping for definitive answers from a new investigation begun by New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood.

DA calls for AG or special prosecutor investigation into Cummings death

By • Aug 3, 2018
Facebook

With the India Cummings death shifting toward a criminal investigation, a crowd turned out Thursday night in the Delavan Grider Community Center to discuss the case.

Legislature meeting about Cummings death turns from discussion of details to policy review

By , & • Jul 25, 2018
Avery Schneider / WBFO News

The death of 27-year-old India Cummings after more than two weeks at the Erie County Holding Center in 2016 was in the spotlight at County Hall on Wednesday, with criticism of the care and treatment of inmates there taking center stage.


Erie County legislator to hold public review of India Cummings report

By • Jul 19, 2018
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

Erie County Legislature Majority Leader April Baskin will hold a special session of the Public Safety Committee on Wednesday to review, line by line, the State Commission of Correction's Medical Review Board report on the death of India Cummings.

'This is a fight for unions,' say labor leaders about Janus decision

By • Jul 17, 2018
National Public Radio

Area unions are pushing back against the U.S. Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision, which allows public employees to gain pay and benefits under union contracts without paying union dues. Union leaders made clear during a news conference Monday they expect a future push to do the same to private sector unions.

Erie County Legislature acts to restrict access to union data

By • Jul 13, 2018
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

The Erie County Legislature locked itself up Thursday in a round of recesses, legislative clarifications and proposed amendments of proposed amendments. It was over a U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting public employee union rights to collect dues from non-members.

On All Women's Equal Pay Day, new calls to ban interview questions about salary history

By • Apr 10, 2018
Michael Mroziak, WBFO

Erie County Government is observing All Women's Equal Pay Day, a day marked to raise awareness of ongoing gaps in pay between women and men. Elected leaders are marking the day by urging support for a statewide ban on wage-history discrimination.


Erie County Legislature reorganizes for new year

By • Jan 5, 2018
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

It was a mix of generational change and backroom politics Thursday, as the Erie County Legislature reorganized after an election that put Democrats in charge.