Golisano PAC announcement
The Times-Union’s Irene Liu has the details on the Golisano PAC that we told you about earlier. The PAC will send $5 million this election cycle and will focus on state races. Candidates will be chosen according to their answers to Golisano’s questions about his eight point plan:
- Responsible budgets (budget increases limited to the rate of inflation)
- End to unfunded mandates
- Property tax reform
- Campaign and election reform (including redistricting reform)
- Government employee compensation commiserate (sic) with private sector
- Equitable distribution of economic development resources statewide
- Government transparency
- End back door borrowing
Candidates can be from any party, but it appears likely that it will go to candidates who challenge Republican incumbents in the Senate and Democratic incumbents in the assembly, with the latter possibly involving primaries. I think this is a good idea — it is wise to place the emphasis on reforming Albany rather than helping one party or the other.
The CapCon article is very thorough and I recommend reading the whole thing.
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is this a special interest’s way of ending special interests? in all seriousness, i am glad he finally ditched the anti upstate initiative and referendum nonsense. i like tommy g and am glad to see him contribute in public life. it would be very easy for him to retire to some secluded mansion and let his foundations create his legacy.
I agree with you.
New York is a mess - there is something to be said for being anti-incumbent.
I agree with this too. And the real incumbents here are the majority leaders of the Assembly and Senate.
This has echoes of Jack Davis’ self-aggrandizing efforts. Just as Joe Mesi gets inflated credit for his boxing “career” in WNY because he’s a hometown hero, Golisano get more credit than is due for any political acumen.
I can’t really believe what you are writing here.
A very rich guy says to politicians “if you follow my plan, I’ll give you lots of money to win your races”. And you guys like it?
Is this the same site that has been ripping “millionaire” Jack Davi$? Is this the same site that has lauded public campaign financing?
What am I missing?
Tom Golisano is all about Tom Golisano. He knows what’s best for us. Will they rename the State Senate the “Golisano State Senate”? After all, Tom usually only gives his money if his name goes on something.
Seriously, though, are you behind his plan because he’s going to support ideas you like? There’s a word for that.
I understand your criticism. But I favor reforming Albany by any political means necessary.
I don’t care if Golisano’s an ego-maniac or not. It’s not about him, it’s about our state.
My biggest problem with Jack Davis is that he’s a Lou Dobbs style xenophobe, not that he self-funds.
What am I missing?
The whole point that WHAT Golisano wants to see if what WE PROGRESSIVES have been wanting to see FOR YEARS!
No, it’s not about him - it’s still about US. You’re just mad because most of those “rich guys” you love to love are usually supporting YOUR candidate.
SURPRISE! Payback is a real bitch, ain’t it?
I think probably a lot of conservatives agree that Albany should be reformed as welll. The idea that Albany should function the way a normal democracy does is something that transcends — or at least should transcend — party and ideological labels.
OK, guys, just spare me the praises of pulic financing I usually find here.
Like Sen. Obama, you all think public financing is a great principle until it gets in the way of winning.
I support public financing. But as long as 527s are legal and opting out of the public financing system helps a candidate….
I’d rather see a 527 over an “un” FAIR intercept robbery any day of the week.
I’d rather see a Golisano incentive that creates REFORM rather than a Minarik/Brooks owned PR agency that gets paid to lie to the public all the while promoting itself without regard to not only the truth, but the impact of self-motivated greed. Looks like the latter self-imploded, whereas the Golisano approach has caused quite the “explosion”.
Must be true what they say about circles. Where it starts, it ends. Where it begins it leads. Where it goes, they follow. I’m getting quite a chuckle about the initial republican response to Golisano’s incentive, to the now “pleading” begs at “we really didn’t mean it Tommy” postings I’ve read. As the worm turns!
Go Dollinger Go!
I am with you on this one
I’d like to see Golisano publicly disown the Independence Party that has such political clout in this area. If Golisano hadn’t spent so much of his money, would the IP be line #3? Does the IP still match what Golisano originally intended?
The IP has moved significantly right, and has moved away from the anti-incumbency platform they originally espoused (and is even still listed on their website).
There are people in this area think the IP endorsement is a sign of a political maverick, and vote the line accordingly. If that’s the case, why are they endorsing mostly incumbents for State Assembly and Senate? Notable exception being Bonacci over Koon — which I can’t begin to understand.
[...] a bit more news on Golisano’s funding of candidates in state races. Here’s the details, from The Capitol: According to the source, as first [...]