Golisano on His Big Move

ALBANY—Tom Golisano—the Rochester billionaire and failed gubernatorial candidate who has thrown his weight around recently through the PAC he founded, Responsible New York—held court his morning to explain why he is switching his permanent residence from New York to Florida.

"I am totally overwhelmed by the reaction," he insisted in a brief talk with reporters, although he and Steve Pigeon both spoke to reporters about it last week.

The decision will save him $5 million a year, Golisano said.

He said his frustration extended to Democratic state senators, many of whom he supported in the 2008 elections, when they took the majority from Republicans for the first time in 40 years.

"Absolutely," he said when asked if he is frustrated. "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."

He was asked whether he would continue his political activities. "I'm not sure that's totally defined yet," he replied.  As to whether living in Florida might reduce his standing in the eyes of voters, Golisano said, "I don't know, I'm not sure it's that important."

But he is sure of one thing about New York.

"If anybody thinks it's going in the right direction, I'd like to have a talk with them."