Golisano creates $5m PAC

ALBANY — Billionaire entrepreneur and three-time gubernatorial candidate B. Thomas Golisano is putting $5 million into play for November's state legislative elections.

On Tuesday morning, the Rochester businessman announced the formation of a new "independent multicandidate unauthorized committee" called Responsible New York, with which Mr. Golisano hopes to leverage reform in the way the state Senate and Assembly conduct business as well as cut their ties to special interests.

"We need change in Albany," Mr. Golisano said. "This isn't news to New York families who are struggling to make ends meet. It's not even news to the legislators here in Albany or the special interests who own this town. These special interests have a stranglehold on the legislators and the legislative process."

Mr. Golisano vigorously and repeatedly denied media reports that he already had thrown his support behind certain Democratic candidates for the state Senate.

"Zero," he replied to a reporter's question on how many candidates he had decided to support. "None. No determinations on who to support yet."

He did confirm that he has met with two Democrats from Western New York — Kathy Konst, who is challenging Sen. Dale M. Volker, R-Depew, for the 59th Senate District seat, and former state Sen. Richard Dollinger, who is running against Sen. Joseph E. Robach, R-Greece, for the 56th Senate District seat.

Mr. Golisano said he has no plans to "target" Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan. Final decisions on whom to support will be made "by the end of summer," he said.

Responsible New York will, Mr. Golisano said, contribute to legislative candidates, regardless of geography or party affiliation, who have demonstrated consistent desire for the following:

■ Property tax reform.

■ A responsible budgetary process.

■ Campaign and election reform.

■ Ending unfunded mandates.

■ Government transparency.

"Everybody knows about these problems, but nobody is doing anything about them," Mr. Golisano said.

Each Legislative candidate will receive the PAC's questionnaire; the answers submitted will be evaluated for "compatibility" with Responsible New York's aims, Mr. Golisano said. If the legislator or candidate agrees with the PAC's ideals, they could receive support. If not, they could receive "anti-support," he said.

Mr. Golisano said that Responsible New York would make only "independent expenditures" to candidates; the PAC would not help them strategize nor would it coordinate activities with them.

Also on tap is a political action committee called People for Responsible New York, to which individuals may make contributions of up to $100.

Decrying New York's persistent legislative failings, Mr. Golisano blamed leaders of both houses, who dole out member-item money based on "how cooperative" they are in backing the leaders' agendas. Although there are "good people in a bad system," he said legislators quickly become "pawns of pork barrel."

"I believe there are a whole lot of people in the Legislature who want change but feel helpless," he said.

When asked if his deep pockets represent the same kind of "big money" influence he wants to suppress, Mr. Golisano called that an unfair analogy.

"The only interest this PAC has is for the general population of this state," Mr. Golisano said. "My reward if we're successful is that we're finally going to do something good for this state."

While most of the state's political establishment stayed silent on Golisano's endeavor, one Assembly leader spoke up in favor of Responsible New York.

"We need more voices, views and opinions reflected in our democracy," said Assembly Minority Leader James N. Tedisco, R-Schenectady. "Albany doesn't listen, doesn't work and doesn't get it. We need real change, not more of the same. Tom Golisano's new venture will put a focus on the critical issues that have gone unresolved for too long and I applaud him for it."