Marc Panepinto

In January 2015, Senator Marc Panepinto (D-Buffalo) was sworn into office as a New York State Senator representing Western New York in the 60th Senate District. It includes parts of the City of Buffalo, the City of Tonawanda as well the Towns of Grand Island, Tonawanda, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Evans and Brant. In his first month, he was appointed to two leadership positions with the State Senate: Ranking Member to the Senate Committee on Local Government and Ranking Member to the Senate Agriculture Committee. Since taking office, Senator Panepinto has hit the ground running and quickly distinguished himself as a fighter for the middle class and those struggling to get into it. As a proud parent, one of the Senator’s top priorities is the protection of our public education system. In his first few months, the Senator has been a fierce opponent of the crippling GEA (Gap Elimination Adjustment) and a leader for reform of our flawed high-stakes testing culture. He has also made sure to highlight that no education system can reach its fullest potential without addressing the systemic societal issue that is income inequality. That is why the Senator has long supported increasing the minimum wage to a living wage and has introduced critical legislation, including the Make a Living Act, to accomplish just that. The Senator has also placed a strong legislative emphasis on creating good jobs, strengthening Western New York’s economy, and ending corporate welfare. This includes the Jobs Protection Act which ensures that jobs are created and maintained by the grantees here in New York State. In addition, he has fought for increased infrastructure funding for Erie County which will inevitably create local jobs and increase public safety. With regards to the environment, Senator Panepinto has led out front. From the introduction of his Clean Water/Clean Air/Green Jobs Act to his focus on protecting and preserving the 40 plus miles of waterfront in his district, the Senator has been a progressive steward of our region’s natural resources. Senator Panepinto is focused on knocking down the barriers that are getting in the way of a brighter and better future for the people of Buffalo and Western New York. Marc, his wife, Catherine Nugent Panepinto, and three daughters live in North Buffalo.