Politics on the Hudson

Rochester-area billionaire Tom Golisano today urged the state Legislature to reject higher taxes as part of the state budget, saying he would put his money through his Responsible New York committee into candidates who reject higher taxes.

“We’re going in the wrong direction here,” he told reporters at the Capitol. “The last thing you do in a recession is to raise taxes on your population. They need the money to survive.”

Golisano, who ran three times for governor on the Independence Party line, pumped $5 million in Responsible New York last year to help candidates in last year’s legislative races. While the group insisted it was bi-partisan and did support Republicans and Democrats, Golisano said the group did have a “leaning toward the Democratic Party.”

But he said the budget will be a test this year and if the lawmakers he supported aren’t pushing for lower taxes, the group would put its resources elsewhere.

“That’s the great thing about what we are about is that we are interested in the end result,” he said.

Golisano wouldn’t say how much money he’s putting behind the ongoing effort, but said:

“We can tangibly say to those people that vote against the budget, that Responsible New York is here to stand behind you and think you are doing the right thing,” he said. “And if the leaders, or the speakers, or the special interests won’t support you, we will.”

Golisano was expected to meet with some legislators today, including Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, D-Queens.

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