Michael H. Ranzenhofer is the Erie County Legislator of the 4th District, which encompasses the Towns of Clarence and Newstead, and includes portions of the Towns of Amherst and Cheektowaga.
As the Erie County Legislator for the 4th District, Mike opposed the proposal to enact an additional ¾% sales tax and $8 million in higher property taxes in the 2007 budget. The answer to the county's budget problems is to first reform the way Erie County does business. Legislator Ranzenhofer has introduced laws and resolutions to reform county government and is committed to ensure that county government operates more effectively and efficiently.
Legislator Ranzenhofer's top legislative priority is to provide Erie County homeowners and businesses property tax relief and to enact policies to stem the population loss our county continues to experience.
Legislator Ranzenhofer currently serves on the Community Enrichment & Human Services committees. Mike has also served on the Finance and Management, Economic Development and Health committees.
During Legislator Ranzenhofer's service as the Erie County Legislator for the 4th District, he also served as the Majority and Minority Leader of the Erie County Legislature.
In addition to his commitment to public service, Legislator Ranzenhofer is a principal partner in the law firm of Friedman & Ranzenhofer, P.C., and remains a citizen legislator. Mike is a member of several professional associations, including the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Erie County Bar Association.
An active member of his community, Legislator Ranzenhofer has served in the past as a member of the Akron Care Team, the AIDA Advisory Committee, the Amherst Task Force on Substance Use/Abuse, the UB Medical School Institutional Review Board, and the Clarence-Newstead Meals on Wheels Task Force. Mike has also served on the Erie County Youth Board, the Amherst Youth Advisory Board, and as Director and Treasurer of the Amherst South Rotary Club, the Amherst Youth Foundation Inc., and as President of the Amherst Jaycees. He has also volunteered as an Assistant Coach for the Amherst Soccer and Hockey Associations, and the Lou Gehrig Baseball and Softball Leagues.
Legislator Ranzenhofer graduated from SUNY Albany with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from SUNY Buffalo Law School.
Mike resides in Amherst with his wife Susan, and they have two children, Lisa and David.