Public Policy
Sam has been engaged with public policy for many years. In 2007 he and a group of civic leaders founded a think tank, Partnership for the Public Good (PPG), to do research and advocacy on behalf of community partners. PPG has grown to include over 350 organizations – a diverse array of non-profit agencies, neighborhood block clubs, labor unions, educational institutions, art museums, and more. Sam co-directed PPG with Lou Jean Fleron for its first decade, then served as executive director for several more years. Currently he remains involved as senior policy fellow. Sam also serves as the volunteer attorney for the City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission and as a commissioner on the Niagara River Greenway Commission. He has written or co-written many journal articles, white papers, policy briefs, and op-eds - a selection of which can be found below.