Golisano Says He May Dish Out More Than $5M (Updated)
-
- August
- 6
Tom Golisano said at his morning press conference today that may put in more than the $5 million he already has into his new campaign committee, Responsible New York.
He said it depends on how the races play out.
Golisano (today left) unveiled his 35-question sheet for legislative candidates to fill out as part of his evaluation into whether they will be endorsed by his new group.
Golisano, the billionaire founder of the Penfield-based Paychex Inc., again beat back speculation that he is set to endorse Democratic Senate candidates in western New York as part of an effort to give Democrats control of the Senate for the first time since 1965.
He said he has not made any decisions on endorsements. He said the questionnaire will be a factor in making the decisions.
He is also setting up a separate committee so citizens can contribute and get involved in his reform push.
“We want candidates who will not just talk about reform, but who are actually willing and able to do something about it,” said Golisano, who three times for governor on the Independence Party line.
He was asked about a whole variety of issues in his casual q and a with reporters. He said he doesn’t support a 4 percent tax cap that the Republican Senate and Gov. Paterson are backing. He said the cap should be zero or 1 percent.
He said he doesn’t support a millionaire’s tax, not just because he is on, but because it would hurt investment in the state by the people who have the “resources” to do so.
And he rejected talk that a Senate Republican majority is best for upstate, reiterating that they haven’t done such a good job in the 40-plus years they’ve been in control.
So much for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ letter to Golisano this week.
The questionnaire is supposed to be online today at the Responsible New York website, but it’s not there yet.
Updated: Yep, the site is now up. It’s pretty dreamy. Lots of stars.









