Golisano's reform effort dogged by his ties to Pigeon
But Golisano insists his Responsible New York fund will be nonpartisan
In three elections as the Independence Party candidate for governor, B. Thomas Golisano tried and failed to implement his plans to downsize New York’s government and taxes.
Now, as his billion-dollar fortune fuels a new and different reform effort, he is encountering rough sledding again.
Tuesday in West Seneca Town Hall, Golisano announced that he would devote significant but still unspecified sums to reducing the Town Board and to back similar proposals around the state. But the Buffalo Sabres owner’s effort already is dogged by his alliance with longtime political figure G. Steven Pigeon.
Even if he insists his Responsible New York fund is ready to put up real money for real results, foes are bristling. They point to:
• Financial commitments that so far help Pigeon-favored candidates.
• Kevin P. Gaughan, the longtime advocate of government consolidation, saying “thanks, but no thanks” to Golisano’s invitation to join him, largely because of the Pigeon connection.
• Golisano’s choice of West Seneca — Pigeon’s home town — to launch his effort.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, whose Democratic primary opponent, Barbra A. Kavanaugh, has already received some of Golisano’s political largess, said he should receive the same consideration if he were judged on his own support for downsizing.
“I like to look at the glass half full,” he said, “but with Steve Pigeon leading the charge, it does raise questions. Is it on the merits or is it political?”
Always one to follow his own instincts, Golisano told reporters in Town Hall on Tuesday that Pigeon is a trusted adviser and old friend who helps him negotiate the political process.
“Anything we do, everybody is ready to jump up and say: ‘Well, that’s because of Steve Pigeon,’ ” Golisano said. “Responsible New York is going to be endorsing his long-term opponents, Republicans and Independence and nonparty affiliation people. No matter what we do, we’ve got people associated with one political party or another.”
He pointed out that he — a Republican — was joined at his news conference by Democrat Pigeon and longtime Independence activist Laureen Oliver of Rochester.
Pigeon, the former Erie County Democratic chairman, has long been a Golisano confidant after trying to woo him into the Democratic Party in 1998. Many credit him with persuading Golisano to buy the Sabres, as well as becoming a major contributor to the worldwide charitable foundation formed by former President Bill Clinton.
Pigeon said Tuesday that Golisano’s detractors are passing judgment long before the total picture has materialized. He said Golisano contributed to Pigeon foes like Kavanaugh because it involves a rare primary offering a chance to defeat an incumbent.
“If you want to send a message to Albany loud and clear, maybe beating an incumbent will send it,” Pigeon said Tuesday. “And anybody who has worked with me will tell you I care about the issues. I have always said that the best politics comes from good government.”
Indeed, Golisano said Tuesday he doubts he will ever run for office again. And Pigeon said he is helping an effort that is consistent with the messages of Golisano’s three gubernatorial races.
“He’s set up a fund to counter the special interests,” Pigeon said. “If he’s trying to buy anything, he’s trying to buy something for the general public.”
“I don’t know why it’s thought that this is all my agenda,” he added. “It’s his agenda or a shared agenda.”
Gaughan, who is already spearheading a downsizing question on the West Seneca ballot via petitions, said he told Golisano’s team he “wanted nothing to do” with its effort.
“Tom Golisano and Steve Pigeon seek to influence politics by spending money,” Gaughan said. “My movement will succeed or fail not because of wealthy businessmen but because of independent citizens.”
Gaughan said the West Seneca downsizing project is already gaining momentum because ordinary citizens are forcing the issue onto the ballot. He said he refused Golisano’s invitation in order to “protect the integrity of my work.”
“I don’t know Steve Pigeon, but I know his forte is raising money for political purposes,” Gaughan said. “The answer here on how to fix broken government is not more money for politics, it’s citizen voice.”
In addition to the $3,800 he gave Kavanaugh, Golisano has spoken approvingly of Kathy Konst, a Democrat running against veteran State Sen. Dale M. Volker, R-Depew, and there are increasing signs he will back Joe Mesi, a former boxer, in the Democratic primary for the post held by retiring State Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville. Both have been encouraged by the former chairman.
Golisano already has committed $5 million to Responsible New York and also has founded a new political action committee called People for a Responsible New York that will accept contributions to support his government-reduction projects.
Tuesday, he assigned no number to the finances he would devote to circulating a petition to reduce the West Seneca Town Board from five members to three. But he said the money is there if needed.
