200px|thumb|Sam Hoyt Receiving Award from Grand Island, NY Supervisors, 2000
200px|thumb|Sam Hoyt, Grand Island, NY, 2000
William Ballard "Sam" Hoyt III (born January 9, 1962) is an American politician from New York. A Democrat, from 1992 to 2011. He was also interim chairman of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, and Vice Chairman of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority.
Hoyt is founder and president of Upstate Strategic Advisors LLC, a full-service PR, lobbying, and government relations firm based in Buffalo, NY
Early life and education
Hoyt grew up on Buffalo's west side He also co-chaired both the Anti-Flipping Hoyt was also a member of the following committees: Ways and Means; Local Governments; are among his legislative accomplishments.
In 2009, Hoyt sponsored legislation that was passed to allow the City of Buffalo school district to start the fourth phase of its Joint Schools reconstruction project. As a lifelong environmentalist, in 2008, Hoyt passed a new law to protect old growth forests. The strip of land was owned by the New York State Thruway Authority, Hoyt proposed that $100 million be put toward the restoration, which was supported by New York State Governor George Pataki.
In 2000, Hoyt, who is an advocate of college students, urged University at Buffalo (UB) leaders Bill Greiner (1934–2009) and Dennis Black to work with staff of the student newspaper, The Spectrum, after students were twice-arrested by campus police for remaining in the newspaper offices after hours to work. The involvement of Hoyt and UB English Department Chairwoman Barbara Bono succeeded in opening communications between UB leadership and the students.
In 1997, Hoyt worked with other legislators on a project aimed at expanding high speed rail in New York State, particularly to Buffalo.
Throughout his tenure, Hoyt was a strong supporter of his alma mater, Buffalo State College, as well as Muriel A. Howard, the president of the college from 1996 to 2009. When Howard took on the role as president of the college, Hoyt stated that she was an excellent choice. Following the coup, it was stated that Hoyt was unable to enter the circle of inner leadership in the Assembly,
Hoyt has been recognized by the Western New York Chemical Dependency Consortium and New York Council on Problem Gambling for his efforts into creating awareness and funding for drug and gambling addiction treatment and prevention programs.
Relationship with Assembly intern
In September 2008, Hoyt was disciplined by New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for an inappropriate relationship involving a participant in the Assembly Intern Program based on a report completed by the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Ethics and Guidance. Silver announced that Hoyt had an "inappropriate personal relationship" with an Assembly intern, and issued a new "policy prohibiting fraternization with student interns." Hoyt was prohibited from future participation in "any student internship program."
The second woman whose e-mails were provided to the Ethics Committee was a student assistant for two years, and later, was part of a federal student work program, though there was no evidence that definitively reflected that the two engaged in an affair. Hoyt issued a statement expressing regret for what he termed a "short term, consensual and inappropriate relationship" and stated that: "When I attempted to end the relationship, she threatened me. At that point, over a year ago, my wife and I agreed to a settlement to avoid public embarrassment to our family." Hoyt denies wrongdoing.
Personal life
Hoyt is married to wife, Connie,