Wednesday’s Briefing: Golisano Returns

by Contributor | July 2, 2008 2:40 pm

The big political news is the return of Tom Golisano, the Rochester man who made his millions building the Paychex payroll-processing empire. He ran for Governor once, outside the two party system. Now, he wants to influence that two party system.

Golisano wants to spend some of his millions[1] to push the State Senate into Democratic hands, by eliminating the Republicans’ financial advantage[2].

A Democratic party-run Senate would give Gov. Paterson much wider leeway to do what he wants to do, as Republicans would lose their last hold on power.

Elsewhere in the Capitol:

• Both parties are worried about election season, having stymied Paterson’s popular-with-the-home-folks school property tax cap[3]. That issue isn’t going away for the summer[4].
• The last Senate leader, Joe Bruno, admits his legal case was part of his decision[5] to step down as leader. And he hints he won’t be a rank-and-file Senator for long[6], either.
• Paterson’s still cutting budgets[7].
• Paterson’s trying to get along[8] with the new Republican Senate leader.

Fueling Around:

• Can your heating bill survive another 40% increase[9] this year?
• From the people who brought you the late state budget: The 4 day workweek[10].

Department Of Health:

• Lyme Disease cases jumping like ticks[11].
• Whadda ya know? Raise the price of a pack of cigarettes to $7 and cashless teens stop smoking[12].
• Malpractice insurance hike avoided[13], for now.
• Can’t beat this headline, so I’ll steal it: State of seriously bummed out[14].

Apropos Of Not Very Much:

Don’t cry over the milk you’re gonna spill[15].
Big, big record collection donated[16].
The Boss’s Madame Marie is dead[17].
So is the Queen of Mean, but her love for dogs (over people) can now be measured in the billions[18].

Outrage Of The Year, So Far:

It’s the fear I’ve always had about emergency rooms — that they’re so busy, nobody notices you’re dying[19] till you’ve died. Video here[20].

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/editors-desk/wednesdays-briefing-golisano-returns/

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