Construction Mob Gets Around City Ban to Build With City Funds

Voters Want Change, But Few New Yorkers Are Entering Politics (Henry Stern, NY Civic) * City Jobless Rate Drops Below 10 Percent 9.8% (NYT) * More Cab Drivers May Lose Licenses, City Says (NYT)


Construction Mob Gets Around City Ban to Build With City Funds

It is an open secret that the mob prevented from working directly for the city works for agencies and projects run by development corporations funded by city and state funds. Use of Mob-Linked Firm Shows M.T.A. Problem Vetting Subcontractors (NYT) * In Deutsche bank blaze, DA to charge mob-tied subcontractor John Galt Corp. with manslaughter The bank is being taken down by city funded Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. * Yankees Use Firm With Alleged Mob Ties (The construction was back by city bonds)* Met 'mob' contracts Shady firms got $52M to build Citi Field UPDATE Sentencing of Concrete Testing Company Owner Is Postponed

Breaking News Claims for Jobless Benefits Rise Unexpectedly (NYT) *

Will Staten Island Accept Vito Fossella Back?
Former Staten Island Congressman Vito Fossella nominated to run for his seat again (NYP) * Staten Island GOPers nominate Vito for his old seat (DN) * Guy Molinari, ex-Rep. Vito Fossella’s one-time mentor, predicted an “ugly,” “nasty” primary in NY-13 now that the former congressman has been endorsed by the Staten Island GOP. * “We’ll take on Fossella, and we’ll beat him,” Molinari said. “There’s a lack of morality that’s going to be an issue in this campaign, (and) people are fed up with this kind of crap.” * It’s unclear if Fossella will even accept the nomination. * Staten Island Republican committee taps Vito Fossella (Politico) * Molinari: "I will be out there knocking his brains out.” * And here's Bloomberg in 2008, saying he'd consider supporting Fossella if he ran for election that year. * Golden Reacts to Possible Fossella Run


What do you think Spitzer thinks of Vito's Comeback?
A source close to Eliot Spitzer told the Washington Post the ex-governor is interested in a TV or radio gig, but only if it allows him to speak his mind. “The way he views it is that he has a lot to say,” said the source. “And if people are willing to listen to him, he will continue to speak.” Bruno Jabs Back At Spitzer * Eliot Spitzer Wants to 'Say What He Thinks,' Will Not Take over for Campbell Brown at CNN (Obsever) * A cable news executive on Eliot Spitzer: “The question about him is, how much stench is on him, and is he likable enough?”

Richard Blumenthal, John Edwards and Eric Massa also looking on with deep interests

Twitter azipaybarah charlie king mocks GOP: "Hey Ed, I hear Vito Fossella is trying to make a comeback, why not ask him to run for governor too?"


Who on the Bloomberg Team Will Take the Hit?
Grand Jury to Eye Mayoral Payments A Manhattan grand jury will consider potential criminal charges in connection with the transfer of $750,000 from Mayor Bloomberg to a Republican operative, people familiar with the matter said Wednesday. (WSJ) * Mike's 750G aide probed (NYP) Bloomberg campaign advisor Haggerty's $750,000 came by way of the Independence Party, which got $1.2 million from the mayor a few days before Election Day. News of the Grand Jury came yesterday afternoon on the YNN blog Grand Jury Empanelled In Haggerty Case

Inside City Hall City Hall’s Economic Development Chief to Step Down * Home work: New commish has right idea on earning shelter at public expense (DN Ed)



The Press Savvy and Shrewd Russian Mogul
Invades New York, Press Surrender
The NYT Metro page has the answer to how to solve the problem of press freedom for Russian Journalist. Just Kiss the ass of Vladimir Putin money man Mikhail D. Prokhorov A New Owner of the Nets Makes a Winning Impression (NYT) * The Courage of Russia’s Journalists Russia is a dangerous place to be a reporter. If President Dmitri Medvedev wants to combat corruption, he can start by prosecuting those who try to silence journalists. (NYT Ed) Even the WSJ is in love iwth Prokhorov who is doing his public relations? New Nets Owner Pitches Woo to N.Y.The NBA's newest owner and Russia's swankiest plutocrat blows into town and unleashes the most charismatic charm offensive since Rex Ryan unveiled his magic khakis in the Meadowlands. (WSJ) * Bondy: Anti-Dolan aiming at Nets' neighbors Mikhail Prokhorov dropped in from Russia this week, from a different sports planet, and he already is miles ahead of James Dolan when it comes to media manipulation in N.Y.* N-E-T-S, nyet nyet nyet: A great basketball team needs a great new name (DN Ed)


Your Next Chuck
Democratic New York senator Chuck Schumer is poised to become majority leader (Wash Post)




Terrorism NY Will Cooperation Benefit Times Square Bombing Suspect? Experts Disagree (NYT) * Judge Refuses to Dismiss Bronx Synagogue Bomb-Plot Case (NYT) * Daly: The next Shahzad will likely be smarter (DN) * Bronx temple 'plotters' try to nix blast vid (NYP) * Millions In Anti-Terror Funds Released (Fox 5) * U.S. Outlines Moves After Bomb Suspect’s Arrest* Man linked to Times Square bomb plot had Shahzad phone number (NYP) * National intelligence director resigning (AP) * Prosecutors: Shahzad Waived His Miranda Rights Daily (NY1)

Only WSJ Offers Reason For Museum Resignation
WSJ won the day today by exposing that Bill White, the ebullient president of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, resigned abruptly came one year after the New York State Attorney General began investigating him as part of a widespread probe into financial marketing firms operating without proper licenses. Amid Probe, Chief of Intrepid Resigns (WSJ) The NYT has not idea why White left. But did include the announcement was made by master PR man Howard J. Rubenstein who works for he museum. Head of the Intrepid Resigns as Fleet Week Approaches (NYT)

Today's Intrepid incite and another story about a real estate player who is taking advantage of the carnage in the commercial real-estate market, breaks the mold of both the NYT and WSJ doing the exact same stories every day since their newspaper war began. The WSJ is the kind of financial analysis you expect to read in the journal. Spotlight Falls on Farkas The decision by Deputy Mayor Robert C. Lieber to join forces with real-estate investor Andrew Farkas is again putting the spotlight on Mr. Farkas and his strategy to take advantage of the carnage in the commercial real-estate market. (WSJ) * "Lieber is the third deputy mayor to announce his departure at a time when city government is cutting budgets and is less able to embark on grand plans."

Upstate Newspapers Message to the Pols
Albany Times Union Introducing: New York's Hall of Shame * The Utica Observer-Dispatch has a message for legislative leaders and the governor.

Gov Tries to Lead
Paterson won’t even publicly discuss layoffs until after the May 26 court hearing on his furlough plan. * New Strategy for Soda Tax Gives Diet Drinks a Break (NYT) * Gov eyes new OTB jockey * Paterson put the kibosh on OT at all state agencies. * Gov ordered a halt on all overtime pay for workers at state agencies.

Gonzalez Wants Out of Jail Pass Like Bruno Efrain Gonzalez Jr. wants to be treated like Joe Bruno (NYP) * Campaign Finance Decision Could Hamper Efforts to Tighten New York's Laws (Gotham Gazette)

Pay to Play Pension Scandal Ex-governor candidate John Faso also target of AG Cuomo's investigation

What Happen to the Investigation ? Aqueduct racino process targeted by feds: U.S. attorney subpoenas

Pay to Play Racino II
Aqueduct bidders pepper state with 120 questions With deadline looming to submit bids for the fifth running of the race to build and run a racino at the Big A, queries come from five groups. (CrainsNY)

Election 2010 Lazio Picks Rural County Executive as Running Mate * If elected, Cuomo will push for direct elections in statewide offices that become vacant, a source close to the AG told the TU * Edwards brings two main assets to the Lazio ticket: Upstate roots and a experience as an executive – something Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has, but Lazio lacks. 8 A Cuomo source says the AG opposes a key part of the Ravitch plan: Borrowing * Inspired by Obama, here comes a new breed of candidate: Career pols will try to undermine them (DN) * City Jobless Rate Drops Below 10 Percent * Grand Jury Probe of Mike's Indy Party Bucks Spells a Cuomo Conundrum (Robbins Voice)

New York's Economic Meltdown Teachers Facing Weakest Market in Years (NYT) * Higher City Water Rates on Tap * Crisis grinds state work Budget problems draw threat to cut off phones, snarl mail, deliveries at DEC; workers act as couriers, hunt for stamps * Randi Weingarten: "The federal government didn't let Wall Street fail. Why would we do less for our public schools." * City To Cut Free Bus Service To Seventh, Eighth Graders (NY1) * DOE Will No Longer Pay For School Lunches * Regional OTBs are in “steep decline,” state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says.

Law and Order Woman's ashes stolen from daughter's car (NYP) * Accused pedophile male nanny is freed, then rearrested (NYP) * NY rolls out new lineup guidelines (NYP) * No jail for art swindler -- yet (NYP) * Police Accused of Ignoring Law on Sealing Stop-and-Frisk Records (NYT) * Judge Loses Patience With a Bronx Landlord (NYT) * Frisk Data Draw Fire (WSJ) * Thug bashes Chinese woman with pipe, assaults her: cops (DN) * VIDEO: Officer pulls gun in snowball fight

Nonpartisan Elections? Reform The NYC Charter Revision Commission might combine a term limits question with a nonpartisan election question on the ballot this fall.

Charter School Report Faults Use of Restraint at a Charter School in Harlem (NYT) * Charter school supporters slammed Sen. Bill Perkins for canceling a promised follow-up hearing * UFT Hits State Senators Over Budget *Reading Test Shows Mixed Results Under Bloomberg * 4th graders increase reading test scores* Mayor: NAEP Scores Pretty NEAT

Wall Street Three millionaire tax cheats forfeit $1M off the top (NYP) * 20,000 people in Greek protest march to parliament (WSJ)


GOP Commercial Against Blumenthal
Blumenthal's poll numbers tumble after Vietnam lies surface (NYP) * Key Connecticut Congressman Still Backs BlumenthalRep. Joe Courtney said he supports Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (WSJ) * Richard Blumenthal joins John Edwards, Eric Massa and other pols in Lawmakers Liars Club (DN)

New Tea Party hero so right-wing he scares Dick Cheney

Paul: Discrimination a Right?
WATCH: Rand Paul Says Businesses Should Have Right To Discriminate * Rachel Maddow Digs In On Charges Rand Paul Would Have Opposed Civil Rights Act

Media and New Tech On TV, a New Refuge for Stage Actors A New York-based production, “The Good Wife,” is filling the void of “Law & Order” for moonlighting performers. (NYT) * Google's 'Smart' TV Platform Reportedly Debuts TODAY * Focus On Latinos: Fox News Launching Website Aimed At Hispanic Market * CNBC’s Summer Fridays: Forgoing News For Movies Loosely Based On Business * 'Meet The Press' Ratings FALL, Gregory's Second-Lowest Ever * Live Google confab blog: Android 2.2, Google TV unveiled SF Chronicle * Philadelphia Inquirer 3-D Section Planned * Carlos Slim Struts Into the White House (Obsever) * EXCLUSIVE: PIX reporter slap wrap