When Did Golisano Get Elected?
Responsible New York?
Usually when he’s referred to in the news, he’s called Rochester Billionaire Tom Golisano. He’s also the founder of Paychex and his name appears on buildings all over the Rochester, New York area. Big bucks has a way of having people name buildings after you. Of course when the person pretty much says the only way you’ll get the money is if you put my name on it, many organizations bow to the almighty dollar. Usually buildings are named after influential people after they die. It’s called a legacy and a remembrance of someone. But, such is not the case with the many Golisano named buildings in the area. It appears the man is buying a legacy.
But this could simply be the tip of the iceberg…
Aside from what’s listed above, Tom Golisano has made a number of unsuccessful runs for Governor of New York State. Not only has he lost nominations on real party lines, he’s also lost while running as an independent. During this past election cycle Golisano founded an organization called Responsible New York. The premise of this political organization was one of trying to put responsible New Yorkers in Albany as elected officials and leaders.
While on the surface, this sounds fine and dandy. However, soon Responsible New York turned into a way for Golisano to pump thousands, if not millions of dollars into the coffers of candidates who measured up to some kind of standard set by Tom Golisano. If a candidate wanted any money, they had to go through a lengthy process, and application process, in order to receive the Golisano dollars. In Erie County a lawsuit was filed accusing Golisano, along with Responsible New York of tampering with the election process. The case has since been dropped. Why? Surprise, surprise,those involved said they don’t have the kind of money needed to see such a case through.
Could it be that the Billionaire pointed out he has lots of money and will win any lawsuit?
It’s also worth pointing out that the suit was not filed by just one party. Both the Republican and the Democratic party leadership in Erie County were involved in the suit. But alas, we will never have an outcome in that case.
Leadership Meeting Involves Golisano
While the above points are disturbing alone, something even more disturbing took place in Albany this week.
The Democrats are poised and ready to take control of the New York Senate for the first time since 1965. After the November elections, the Democrats now hold 32 of the Senate’s 62 seats, giving the party the majority for the first time in 40 years. With the change in leadership, there was much jockeying for whom would become the leader of the new Senate Majority. As a result of recent meetings in Albany, incoming State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. will assume the title of Majority Leader.
First off, how does an incoming Senator end up as Majority Leader? This makes no sense at all.
This is where the whole situation gets very interesting.
Senator Malcolm Smith was poised to become the Democratic leader. However, in a major concession to a group known as the Gang of Three, that all changed with just a blink of an eye. Somehow Senator Smith stepped aside, and the freshman Senator Espada Jr. rose to the leadership position. So , who was involved in the meeting where the leadership position was decided?
Queens Congressman Greg Meeks and Tom Golisano.
Wait a minute – Tom Golisano? – Did I miss something here? Was Golisano’s name on the ballot somewhere and I missed it? Did Golisano get voted to a position in New York State government in Albany that we all missed? Why is Tom Golisano sitting in on a meeting of elected officials to decide who the leader of the Senate Major will be? The last time I checked, Tom Golisano was not elected to any political office. With that in mind – What is he doing working through the selection process in regards to the leadership of any elected position in Albany?
Of course when all was said and done, a Golisano spokesman said the Paychex founder was pleased with the meeting. Golisano also said he believes the right leaders are now in place that are in line with his Responsible New York platform.
Does this seem wrong to anyone else?
Tom Golisano is not an elected official. As a taxpayer he has a right to voice his opinion as to what’s going on in politics. But since when does a taxpayer have a seat at a table picking governmental structure leadership positions such as Majority leaders? If this is the way the leadership for the Senate Majority is supposed to be picked, I want a recall. I was not asked for my input, nor were other voters. Why is Golisano receiving such preferential treatment? Could it be that he’s found a new way to get involved in public office? Instead of being voted into office by the people, he’s decided to go under the guise of Responsible New York and buy his way into politics.
It appears Responsible New York is nothing more than a fancy name for a lobbying group. The chief lobbyist is Tom Golisano. That being the case, every politician, and every voter in New York needs to stand up and cry foul because this is definitely tampering. Not only do the politicians and the people need to cry foul, but the Ethics Committee should also look into this fiasco. Obviously the money given by Golisano to various candidates has done more than just get them elected. It’s put a number of elected officials right into the pocket of Tom Golisano.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
