Carl Heastie is a member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 83. He assumed office in 2001. His current term ends on January 1, 2027. Heastie became speaker of the House in the New York State Assembly on February 3, 2015, after Sheldon Silver resigned on February 2. Heastie is the first African-American in state history to serve as the speaker of the assembly. Heastie received a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and statistics from Stony Brook University and a master's degree in business with a concentration in finance from Baruch College. Heastie began his career working as a budget analyst in the New York City Comptroller's office. In 2000, Heastie ran to represent the 83rd District in the New York State Assembly, winning with 93% of the vote in the general election. From 2008 to 2015, Heastie was the chairman of the Bronx Democratic County Committee, a local branch of the New York Democratic Party. In the New York State Assembly, Heastie chaired the Labor Committee from 2013 to 2015. Heastie's officeholder website said he "was the principal negotiator in securing an increase in the minimum wage" and "he was also the prime sponsor of the Wage Theft Prevention Act." During his speakership, which began in 2015, Heastie's officeholder website said he supported "spending plans to provide funding for statewide universal pre-kindergarten programs and additional support for the state’s neediest schools" and passed "a legislative package to protect New Yorkers, improve police and community relations, and bring transparency and accountability to the criminal justice system."
