July 17, 2008 06:09 pm
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Three-time gubernatorial candidate Tom Golisano is shaking up New York state politics once again.
However, rather than making another run for the governor’s job, the Rochester billionaire has set out to put more like-minded politicians in the state Legislature to achieve his desired reform of state government.
Mr. Golisano has created his own political action committee called Responsible New York funded with $5 million of his money to back candidates for the Assembly and Senate in the fall election.
Democrat, Republican or independent matters not to Mr. Golisano, founder of Paychex and owner of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Candidates looking for his endorsement and financial help will have to complete a questionnaire seeking their views on eight issues of concern to him.
Mr. Golisano wants to end borrowing without voter approval, a method of backdoor borrowing state leaders user to avoid referenda on spending. He seeks a cut in local property taxes and an end to unfunded state mandates. Greater government transparency and changes in drawing legislative districts to limit gerrymandering are also on his agenda.
Mr. Golisano does not subscribe to the divided-government theory that a Republican Senate and Democratic Assembly serve as a useful system of checks and balances.
“If it’s been successful, you could have fooled me,” he said.
He did not make a Democratic takeover of the Senate a stated goal, but he has talked with three Democratic candidates challenging Republican officeholders.
Mr. Golisano’s approach has drawn a lot of debate over its legality and whether it conforms to state campaign finance laws, which restrict individual donations to authorized political committees. By creating an unauthorized or independent committee, though, Mr. Golisano can spend as much as he likes. That should get the attention of lawmakers.
Mr. Golisano’s three bids for governor had a lasting impact on state politics by giving the Independence Party a permanent spot on the ballot. He now hopes to put his imprint on state government with his version of reform.
— Watertown Daily Times
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