Sam Hoyt

William B. Hoyt III (born January 9, 1962) is a Democratic politician and economic development professional from New York State. Better known as Sam Hoyt, was a member of the New York State Assembly. Hoyt represented the 144th Assembly district, consisting of part of Buffalo, New York, and all of Grand Island, New York for nearly 20 years before resigning from office in 2011 after being appointed to an economic development position in New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration. He was first elected in 1992 to succeed his late father, William Hoyt. Today, Sam Hoyt serves as Empire State Development Regional President, overseeing efforts to recruit new business, as well as support existing business, for the Western, Central, Finger Lakes and Southern regions of New York State. He also currently serves as chair of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Peace Bridge Authority and board member of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. Sam Hoyt’s career in public service is marked by a commitment to community-centric change centering on four guiding goals: making state and local governments more efficient and accountable to taxpayers, revitalizing neighborhoods, increasing economic opportunity and developing waterfront.

Biography Sam Hoyt grew up in Buffalo, New York’s west side and attended local schools, graduating from The Park School of Buffalo and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Buffalo State College. Prior to entering elected office, Sam Hoyt served as Western New York regional director for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and was marketing and promotions director for Buffalo Bisons Baseball. Sam Hoyt represented the 144th Assembly District, encompassing part of Buffalo, New York, and all of Grand Island, New York from 1992 to 2011. On July 1, 2011, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the appointment of Sam Hoyt to serve as Regional President for Empire State Development Corporation, saying, “Sam Hoyt has dedicated his life to serving the people of New York. During his almost 20 years in the New York State Assembly, Sam has proven to be a dedicated public servant who puts the needs of his constituents and community first. He has demonstrated the type of dedication and enthusiasm required for this new challenge.” Sam Hoyt lives in Buffalo with his wife and their two sons.

New York State Assembly Sam Hoyt was was first elected in 1992 to succeed his late father, William Hoyt. During his two decades in the Assembly, Sam Hoyt served as Majority Whip and was a member of the following committees: Ways and Means; Local Governments; Transportation; Energy; Tourism, Arts and Sports Development; and Cities. Hoyt was the Chairman of the Assembly Oversight, Analysis and Investigations Committee; Chairman of the Assembly Task Force on Demographics and Reapportionment; Chairman of the Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee; as well as a member of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. On September 26, 2008, Sam Hoyt was disciplined by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver based on a report completed by the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Ethics and Guidance.

Legislative Accomplishments As an assemblyman, Sam Hoyt concentrated on the redevelopment of Upstate New York cities and points to the passage of the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, Land Bank Program and State Historic Preservation Tax Credit as among his most significant legislative accomplishments. Sam Hoyt also sponsored other important legislation. In 2009, he successfully passed legislation to allow the City of Buffalo school district to start the fourth phase of its Joint Schools reconstruction project, and as a lifelong environmentalist, in 2008, Hoyt passed a new law to protect old growth forests. The same year, Hoyt passed a new law to fund bike paths across New York State. Sam Hoyt also has been a strong advocate of marriage equality. He supported the Marriage Equality Act, which was passed in June 2011, granting same-sex couples in New York State the freedom to marry under the law, as well as hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that had been limited to married couples of the opposite sex.

Awards & Recognition Sam Hoyt is the recipient of numerous awards, including 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York League of Conservation Voters, Elected Official of the Year in 2008 by both the State Historic Preservation Office and American Institute of Architects, the 1992 SUNY Chancellor’s Recognition Award, the 2001 William B. Hoyt Environmental Award from the National Audubon Society (named in honor of his father), the 2001 League of Conservation Voters’ Creating a Greener New York Award, as well as recognition in 2001 from the WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium and the NY Council on Problem Gambling for his efforts into creating awareness and funding for drug and gambling addiction treatment and prevention programs. Sam was named the State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers’ 1997 Public Citizen of the Year because of his leadership role in fighting for responsible and fair state budgets, particularly on behalf of health, mental health, senior, addiction and education services. Sam Hoyt is also active in the area of social justice, joining other urban legislators in declaring a state of emergency in the fight against HIV/AIDS in minority communities. He has also received several awards in recognition of his work on behalf of issues related to social service, including the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association's Distinguished Public Service Award in 2000, the National Association for Mental Illness Public Service Award in 2000, and the PEF Quality Service Award in 1999.

As a senior member of the State Assembly, Hoyt has served as Chair of several Assembly committees. In 2007, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appointed Hoyt as the Chairman of the Assembly Local Governments Committee. This committee oversees legislation relating to village, town and county governments across New York State, and other local government issues, such as home rule bills and volunteer emergency services. It also oversees municipal authorities like Industrial Development Authorities. For a year prior to becoming chairman of this committee, Hoyt was the Chairman of the Assembly Oversight, Analysis and Investigations Committee. He is a former Chairman of the Assembly Task Force on Demographics and Reapportionment, and a former Chairman of the Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee.