Albany, NY – Politically active billionaire Thomas Golisano has Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in his sights.
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The businessman and owner of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, who played chief carnival barker in the circus-like Senate coup, says he will next commit his cash to overthrowing the Manhattan Democrat who has controlled the Assembly for 16 years.
Golisano ripped Silver in a half-hour infomercial on a Buffalo TV station Saturday night.
“Quite candidly, even if Sheldon has done a decent job, 16 years is far too long in a democracy,” said Golisano, who is worth about $1.3 billion and who spent more than $90 million on three failed runs for governor.
“We need some new leadership there, and we’re going to try and encourage it there.”
Golisano changed his legal address to Naples, Fla., in May to protest a massive income-tax hike pushed through by Gov. Paterson and the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
That didn’t stop him from conspiring with Republicans and two rogue Democrats in a bid to get control of the state Senate.
The failed coup resulted in five weeks of gridlock and a six-figure Senate job for top Golisano operative, Steve Pigeon.
“I have no concerns about it, and in this country, if you have enough money, you can pay for whatever you want and say whatever you want,” Silver told Elizabeth Benjamin of the NY Daily News, in between swings on an upstate golf course.
“His record will speak for itself. That’s all. The public will make a determination whether he’s right or wrong.”
Golisano’s record is 0 for 1 when it comes to trying to influence legislative leadership decisions in Albany.
Good luck to Golisano. We need changes in the leadership of the legislature in albany after the past few months. Silver is an ehrleche yid but its time for him to be with his grandchildren and allow some younger and more vibrant leadership to take over.
sometimes it is better to work with what you have then to try to get something new installed
Where have you been?? Did you see what this FLORIDA resident Golisano did to the Senate? After all his garbage, the same people are still leading the Senate, but this time with big raises. Not only that, but Golisano’s own little lackey got himself a 100,000 dollar a year job. Oh, also during the Golisano circus the city and state lost tens of millions of dollars because none of them wanted to come to work.
That’s the change you want? Pretty scary.
Apparently if you have enough money, you can buy any political office you want. Mike bought a third term for Mayor, and now Golisano wants to buy the next Assembly Speaker.
Who needs voters?
go tommy go
Shelly Silver has gotten too comfortable in his current position and is nothing more than a deterrent to constructive progress in NYS. He also uses bully tactics to achieve his politically motivated goals. It’s time for him to take a hike, and take Bloomberg (another bully) with him.
Yes numbers 6 and 7. You’re right. Instead of having our legislature led by someone elected, let’s have a nutcase billionaire who doesn’t even live in New York anymore handpick our leadership. Because he cares ever so much about the residents of New York State, right?
Get a clue. Look what this clown did to the Senate. I don’t understand why people who know nothing about politics feel the need to comment here. The guy destroyed the democratic process in the Senate, sat back and laughed about it, and saw to it that his friends received good jobs and pay raises.
And you support him. That’s mind boggling.