Pat Burke

Patrick "Pat" B. Burke is a Democratic Assemblymember representing New York's 142nd Assembly District, which encompasses parts of Erie County. A native of South Buffalo, Burke resides in Buffalo with his wife and three children. He is a Political Science Instructor at Buffalo State College and holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Buffalo State University.

Burke served as an Erie County Legislator from 2014 to 2018 before being elected to the State Assembly in November 2018. During his tenure in the State Assembly, he served as Majority Conference Secretary from 2021 to 2023.

Education

Burke earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Buffalo State University. He currently teaches political science at Buffalo State College.

Political Experience

Assembly Service

Burke has served in the New York State Assembly since 2019. He sits on several committees, including:

• Chair, Subcommittee on Oversight of the Department of Environmental Conservation
• Banks Committee
• Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Committee
• Environmental Conservation Committee
• Governmental Employees Committee
• Science and Technology Committee
• Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee

Notable Legislative Achievements

County Legislature :
- Banned microbead plastics
- Repealed Sunday Blue Laws
- Established a million-dollar emergency fund to combat the opioid crisis
- Founded the Erie County Broadband Committee
- Banned smoking in vehicles with children
- Authored the PENCE Bill to end gay conversion therapy
- Championed a Youth Concussion Protocol for youth contact sports safety
- Introduced legislation requiring the pharmaceutical industry to help fund drinking water protection from medical waste

State Assembly :
- Helped pass sweeping election law reforms
- Passed legislation ending abusive gay conversion therapy practices
- Removed the mandate requiring state-created assessments for teacher and principal evaluations
- In 2019 alone, had six bills passed by the Assembly and Senate, with five signed into law
- Championed bills strengthening rights for New Yorkers with disabilities, including interpreter accessibility requirements, service animal protections, and tax credits for disability employment

Burke's legislative focus emphasizes child protection, community health, broadband expansion, and environmental conservation.