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Tom Golisano and the Balance of Power

Last week at HSBC Arena, Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano held a news conference to announce his endorsements for New York State Senate and to speak on the importance of the balance of two-party power in Albany. Joining Golisano on the podium were local State Senators Mary Lou Rath (R-Amherst) and Dale Volker (R-Depew), as well as Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Saratoga Springs).

Said Golisano, “With the polls showing a big lead for the Democratic candidate for governor, I feel very strongly that we take steps to maintain the Republican majority in the Senate and keep the system of checks and balances in our state government.” Golisano went on to praise both Rath and Volker for their efforts in bringing state dollars to this region.

During the question-and-answer period that followed, reporters quickly turned to the hottest issue of late, the toll barriers along the Niagara Thruway. As a candidate for governor, Golisano campaigned heavily for the elimination of tolls not only here in Western New York but statewide. So does he still have the same passion on this issue?

“The answer is yes,” Golisano replied. “I am in the hockey business, and my business is located here, in downtown. And in my opinion, those toll barriers are an impediment to fans who might otherwise come to the arena and support our team.”

Questions on the toll barriers continued, and one could see clearly that Bruno, Volker and Rath were uncomfortable addressing the issue. They would much rather have talked about the virtues of a Republican-controlled legislature.

Bruno indicated that the Williamsville toll barriers were going to be moved eastward “very soon,” but when pressed for a specific timetable, did not offer any but instead commended Rath and Volker for their “wonderful leadership on this issue.” Bruno went on to say that any further modification to existing toll plazas is a “complicated matter,” and requires “examination of current agreements with and restrictions by bond holders.”

One reporter asked the senators how the state planned to fund the shortfall should US Congressman Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) make good on his threat to withhold federal funding for the Thruway Authority unless the I-190 barriers come down.

“Someone needs to remind Mr. Higgins that he is no a longer a member of this state chamber,” Bruno said angrily.

In recent months, Golisano has hosted numerous political notables in the owner’s box at HSBC Arena, including former President Bill Clinton and gubernatorial hopefuls Tom Suozzi and William Weld. Despite passing on another run for governor himself, clearly Golisano intends to help shape the state’s political landscape.

But while Golisano’s call for two-party control is laudable, his endorsement of Rath and Volker is somewhat puzzling, considering that he ran for office railing against the dysfunction in Albany, the high costs of government and the stifling taxation that has choked the life out of our state. Yet here he is, touting two of our local senators, career politicians who are poster children for that very dysfunction, and hosting Senator Bruno, one of New York State’s infamous “three men in a room,” who along with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Governor George Pataki has brutally crushed any free thinking in Albany’s legislative chambers.

Is Golisano waving the white flag in embracing these politicians? Or is his plan to impose his style of management and sound business practices on people who desperately need his endorsement? One thing is for certain—fans attending Sabres games in upcoming weeks may want to check to see who is sitting in the owner’s box. New York State’s future may well be determined high above center ice.

andrew kulyk