It turns out that the cover of yesterday's Daily News picturing everyone's favorite State Senators Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr. wasn't the only spot in the paper giving some face time to the pair. Politicker NY spotted that both yesterday's News and Post featured full-paged ads celebrating the two legislators, paid for by—who else—Billionaire Floridian Tom Golisano. The ad says, "Last week, Senators Espada and Monserrate voted to put the people of The Bronx and Queens above the special interests that have controlled Albany for far too long. Senators Pedro Esapda Jr. and Hiram Monserrate are answering President Obama's call leading the charge to solve our economic challenges." Finally, has answered President Obama's call. The ad doesn't really hold a candle to the promotion Monserrate got in the Post's write-up elsewhere in the paper saying Monserrate "in his typical flip-flop fashion wore no Met gear, even though he represents Queens." more ›

Billionaire Tom Golisano penned a column in the NY Post today: "Why I Did It"—"it" being helping Republicans and two Democratic dissidents take over the State Senate. Golisano rightfully grouses that Albany has been dysfunctional for a while, but his big beef is how this year's secret budget process resulted in tax increases for the wealthy that prompted him to change his residency to Florida, "Nonetheless, I love New York and remained committed to finding a better way. [Golisano's political action group] continued our dialogue with senators from both parties. We found when these senators talked not about politics but about the state and their districts that they shared the same goals of creating jobs, improving education and providing opportunity for their constituents. We found two brave Democratic senators who were willing to put people above party and results ahead of rhetoric. As a result, this week, for the first time since that report appeared, something happened. Something changed. Reform has come to the New York state Senate." (See what reforms were enacted here.) Golisano also sends a warning to Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver, "Who's next? Hopefully there are some members of the state Assembly who are willing to put reform above party and the people above politics." more ›

All eyes continue to focus on the one wildcard at the center of this week's madness in Albany, Senator Hiram Monserrate. The Times has a profile on his controversial history seemingly always amidst chaos—from his retirement from the NYPD due to a psychological disability to onetime speculation that he was connected to the Church of Scientology. Meanwhile, Room Eight makes the whirlpool around Monserrate swirl just a little more rapidly, piecing together a timeline of when the state senator traded up to an incredibly expensive attorney in his assault case coinciding right around the time that he and Senator Pedro Espada began sitting down with billionaire Tom Golisano, plotting the Senate takeover. Wherever that money is coming from, it sounds like Monserrate's going to need it. In a court filing about the condition of Monserrate's girlfriend Karla Giraldo that was just released, prosecutors state, "According to the doctor, some of the wounds were very deep, extending through the skin and muscle down to the bone." more ›

PolitickerNY reports that when asked about defected Democrats Hiram Monserrate's and Pedro Espada Jr.'s ethical backgrounds (Monserrate is indicted for slashing his girlfriend; Epada is under investigation for campaign fund misuse and not living in the district he represents), the billionaire retorted with, "Don't talk to me about ethical background in Albany, New York. We have a governor that stood on a podium on national television and said he had extramarital affairs and used cocaine. So, you know, these guys have got some personal issues? I don't think I want--that's just part of the picture." more ›

Last week, western NY billionaire, former gubernatorial candidate and owner of the Buffalo Sabres Tom Golisano announced he was changing his legal address to Florida, to avoid paying about $4.75 million more a year in taxes, thanks to the state's increased taxes for higher income brackets. Yesterday, he told reporters he was frustrated with the State Senate Democrats (he backed quite a few of them during the election) for passing the measures, "One or two of those senators could have said, ‘Wait a minute, we'd better take a look at this budget.' A 9 percent increase in a recession. But none of them had the fortitude to do that, which is absurd." Golisano added, "Nobody wants to leave New York. Just economically, it makes so much sense to leave it, and that's because of the irresponsible government we've had." Still, the State Department of Taxation and Finance tells the Buffalo News, "If you’re a nonresident making money in New York, you are going to pay taxes to some extent." The Buffalo News points out that Golisano is dating Monica Seles (ewww), also splits her time in NY and Florida. more ›

Western NY billionaire—and three time NY gubernatorial candidate—Tom Golisano has had it with New York's taxes so he's changing his legal address to Florida. Hey, if only the little people had residences in Florida too! Notably, it's the increased taxes to wealthier individuals that has Golisano riled up. The Buffalo News reports, "Golisano told a gathering of Rochester business executives that he will remain as owner of the Buffalo hockey team, but he is fleeing the Empire State to avoid paying $13,000 a day in state income taxes. While Golisano said his move will not end his role as outspoken critic of New York state government, it remains uncertain how seriously his cause will be taken at the State Capitol as a resident of the Town of Naples, Fla." Golisano, who is working with another billionaire, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, on possibly revamping the Independence Party, says he'll use the money he's saving (over one year, that would be about $4.75 million) to finance charities and maybe his political action committee. more ›

Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano does not want a state budget full of taxes and spending, so he threw down the gauntlet to state lawmakers, offering to bankroll them if they vote against it. Golisano said, "Legislators that we think act responsibly, or act independently of the speakers and the special interests, Responsible New York is here to support you. Because quite frankly, you don't have much support from these special interests and we're here to help." (Responsible New York is his political reform organization.) more ›

Politicker NY noticed how a $500,000 check, from the coffers of one Michael R. Bloomberg, arrived at the state Independence Party a day after upstate billionaire Tom Golisano announced he'd fund an effort against the term limits extension. more ›

How many billionaires does turn a third party into a contender? At least two, according to the Post, which says that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and upstate businessman Tom Golisano are working to "revamp the state Independence Party as an 'issues oriented' group focusing on government reform." more ›

The speculation on how the City Council members will vote on extending term limits will end on Thursday, because the Council will vote on the matter then. NY1 relays its latest tally of support: 17 for extending term limits, 21 against, and 13 undecided (the measure needs 26 votes to pass). more ›

Billionaire term limits proponent Ronald Lauder (pictured, far right) confirmed his support for Mayor Bloomberg's and the City Council's legislation to add another term to term limits--and expressed his hope it would be overturned after (presumably) Bloomberg was re-elected. Lauder told the NY Times that he believes term limits will go back to two after a voter referendum in 2010, "To me, this is a temporary solution." more ›

Billionaire Tom Golisano's seven-figure donation next week's DNC in Denver has, according to the NY Times, worried some Republicans that he may be leaning towards Barack Obama for president. Though Golisano is a registered Republican, he did run for Governor as an independent twice (losing both times to George Pataki). Golisano, who made his fortune with payroll processing company, formed a political action committee and plans to supports candidates who share his views; he has previously said, “We are going to endorse Republicans, we are going to endorse Democrats, we are going to endorse independents. It’s going to be for candidates all over the state.” more ›