Monday, April 1, 2013

6 Year Media Cover Up of the Council Slush Fund Scandal


Controlling the News To Elect the Next Mayor
Six-year-old federal slush-fund probe is still costing New York City taxpayers (NYP) The 6-year-old federal slush-fund probe into the City Council is still costing taxpayers, The Post has learned. The council paid $10,430 in September to the white-collar law firm Steptoe & Johnson — part of an $83,000 contract. The council has spent $513,868 with four law firms since the feds launched their investigation. Along with Seabrook, two former members — Hiram Monserrate and Miguel Martinez — and two former council staffers have been charged in the scandal.* Chris Quinn and the Slow Motion Return of the Slush Fund Scandal (Village Voice)* Phony Allocations by City Council Reported - New York Times

Quinn Gave Vito Lopez, Larry Seabrook and Miguel Martinez their Cut of the Pork Budget


The Apalachin Speaker
How did Quinn get the City Council Almost Unanimously Passes Budget in spite of the ongoing (?) federal investigation of the council slush fund. She pay off members with with Council 'Pork' Wonder if Maria del Carmen Arroyo got any funding for her family members? Ex-Bronx non-profit leader pleads guilty to bilking group of $50K Just like the Apalachin organized crime meeting in upstate NY, everyone got a piece of the action (member items) to buy piece among the families, I mean councilmembers. Manhattan City Councilman Miguel Martinez admits he stole tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars * Councilmembers Ply Vito Lopez With Pork(NYDN) * Council grants $600G in earmarks to group caught in Vito Lopez federal corruption investigation(NYDN) Vito Lopez Uses Government Funds to Run His Machine (True News)* Lobbyists' Role in Council Slush Fund Scandal Probed (City Sun 2008)
Vito Lopez Uses Government Funds to Run His Machine (True News)


 Despite facing corruption charges, Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook is slated to receive about $362,000 in member item money from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn this year
CM Seabrook under Indicted for Stealing Member Items Hands Out More Funds This Year

Seabrook, a Bronx Democrat who has pleaded not guilty, has asked that nearly $400,000 in total be directed to 13 organizations in the fiscal year that begins Friday, records showed. The funds are a fraction of the nearly $50 million in so-called "member items"—derided by critics as "pork"—that the council plans to ...Indicted Councilman Hands Out Cash(WSJ)








Media Switch On Then Off - Slush Fund Story
From a period of two weeks before the indictments of two city council aides to about a month after the arrests, the newspapers hammered away almost every day at the slush fund scandal. From the beginning of April 2008 to the the end of May 2008 over 100 story and several editorials were published about the scandal and the need for reform, including over two dozen investigative reports that exposed how councilmembers used member items for family, friends and paid off lobbyists for their campaign help. Since the end of May less than a handful of stories have been written about the slush fund, none during and since the debate and vote extending the council's term limits.The DN says Seabrook's indictment should bring an end to the Council's "slush-fund budgeting."

Slush Fund Coverage Day by Day, April 2008 - May 2008  Pork handouts offered to pressure council members to OK congestion plan, April 2, 2008 *** City Council investigated for slush fund, April 3, 2008 *** City Council Speaker's "Slush Fund" Investigated, April 3, 2008 *** Slush Fund Scandal May Drag Quinn To Court *** City Council invented phony charities to hide more than $17M, aides say, April 3 *** Christine Quinn Joins the Scandal Bandwagon, April 3, 2008 *** The Perils of Christine, April 4, 2008 *** NYC City Council Hiding Taxpayer Money, Created a Slush Fund, April 4, 2008 *** NYC pol caught in slush fund probe - April 5, 2008 *** City Comptroller To Audit Council Over Slush Fund - April 9, 2008

In 2009 Media and Developers Said Run Mike Run
2013 Media and Developers Plow the Field for Quinn
 *** Discretionary funds in City Council must now be OK'd, April 11, 2008 Speaker Quinn Decides to Talk to a Lawyer, April 12, 2008 *** *** Slush Probers Eye Fraud Rap for Quinn, April 13, 2008 *** Unanswered Questions: City Council's Phantom Funds - April 14, 2008 *** 2 NYC Council workers indicted in slush fund probe -April 16, 2008 *** What Roll Did Chuck Meara Have In Creating The City Council Speaker's Slush Fund, April 16, 2008 *** Council member in funding flap, April, 17, 2008 *** SLUSH-FUND SHENANIGANS - April 17, 2008 *** Lobbyists’ Role in Council Slush Fund Scandal Probed - April 17, 2008 *** AIDS Groups Have Doubts On Quinn Reforms, April 17, 2008 *** Indictments fall as Quinn eyes reforms in slush fund scandal - April 18, 2008 *** NYC pol caught in slush fund probe, April 18, 2008

NYT in 2008
"In a series of private meetings with rank-and-file members of the City Council on Monday, Speaker Christine C. Quinn kept apologizing. She told them she had blundered badly in her response to revelations about the Council’s appropriation of money to fictitious organizations."

 *** Quinn Offers Apologies to Council, April 18, 2008 *** City Council scandal has nonprofits nervous, hampers budget talks, April 19, 2008 *** CITY HAUL POLS WANT YOU TO PAY LAW BILLS, April 19, 2008 *** DA weighs charges in City Council slush fund scandal - April 21, 2008 *** Quinn would flush ‘slush fund’ in a budget overhaul proposal - April 22, 2008 *** Daily News Editorial: All in the family - April 22, 2008 *** Brooklyn Pol Put $187G of Your Dough into Wife's Nonprofit, April 22, 2008 *** City Freezes Bronx Councilman’s Million-Dollar Non-Profit Play, April 24, 2008 *** The City Council Operates Under "Afikomen Rules", April 25, 2008 *** Councilman sent $406G to nonprofit with sister on board, April 25, 2008 *** Baez Tied to Council Slush Fund Scandal - April 30, 2008 *** Daily News Editorial: All in the family - April 22, 2008

 Bloggers and Activists Have Keep Hitting The Slush Fund Scandal But the Main Stream Media Has Cover Up
  Feds Probing Larry Seabrook Non-Profits in Council Slush Fund Inquiry - April 30, 2008 *** Slush pols look after their own, -April 30, 2008 ***Bloomberg downplays slush fund scandal, May 2, 2008 *** Papers Filed for Judicial Hearing on City Council Spending, May 3, 2008 *** More slush fund shadiness exposed, May 5, 2008 *** Gifford Miller: Slush-Fund Refugee, May 6, 2008 *** WHILE THE COUNCIL ROILS IN SCANDAL, THE FORMER SPEAKER STAYS MUM, HANGS WITH DEVELOPER CHUM - May 7, 2008 *** Brooklyn councilwoman Darlene Mealy's 25G for nonprofit run by sister tabled, May 11, 2008 *** Once Again, Quinn Tries to End the Funding Furor, May 12, 2008*
The Dishonor Roll - The Shame of New York(True News)

NY Magazine
""Did I think, as a speaker, having the [reserve] money to give out through the year might give me political leverage? Of course, I did," Quinn told New York magazine for its current edition."

***Quinn: SLUSH FUND HELPED ME, May 12, 2008 *** Slush Probers Eye Fraud Rap for Quinn, May 13, 2008 *** More City Hall Slush, This Time From Mayor Bloomberg - May 14, 2008 *** Council slush fund quid quo pro, - May 15, 2008 *** Slush Fund Follies in New York - May 15, 2008 *** Vallone, Sr. subpoenaed in slush probe, May 19, 2008 *** Council slush funds date back to 1998 - June 1, 2008 *** Kendall Stewart - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, June 11, 2008 *** Lobbyists' Role in Council Slush Fund Scandal Probed, June 20, 2008 *** Role of Lobbyists Examined in Council Slush Fund Scandal - June 20, 2008 *** Baez Silent Amid Sea of Controversy, July 10, 2008 

How Dumb is This
One reporter says "New York City political reporters" are among the "losers" in the paid sick time fight because the mayor's race "just got less interesting." [Chris Bragg] January 12, 2009 Inspector Clouseau Investigates(True News) * wcbstv.com - NYC Taxpayers Petition For Slush Fund Inquiry 

Council Slush Fund and the Parkside Consult Group
Yesterday the New York Appellate Court ruled two to three against Normal Siegel Petition to set up a public inquiry into who was responsible for the Council Slush fund scandal. Siegel is expected to appeal. If one more judge sided with the inquiry we might have gotten some answers to who was behind the slush fund which we have not gotten to date from the federal investigation or the press. Siegel would have been able to question former Speaker Giff Miller and Speaker Quinn why the Parkside consultant/lobbying group had some many non profits funded by the city as clients. Parkside had worked closely with Miller until press reports during his campaign for mayor forced him to put some distance from Parkside. This blog story has a lot of question Siegel could have asked Miller, Parkside and the other Council Bums A Letter to Garcia: (Michael) Garcia U.S. Attorney   * Gifford Miller: Slush-Fund Refugee


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Campaign 2013


De Blasio donor linked to Iran-nuke $uspect (NYP) Bill de Blasio’s mayoral campaign has gone nuclear. The public advocate, who has long rallied against people who do business with Iran, accepted a check last month from wealthy Democratic donor Jack Rosen, 66,  who has a lucrative real-estate deal with a Russian oligarch suspected of funding the construction of one of Iran’s nuclear-power plants. De Blasio has a watch list that exposes firms “profiting off of business in Iran.” Rosen teamed up with Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman to invest $1 billion in distressed real estate along the East Coast. Fridman’s Alfa Bank provided financing throughout the 2000s to the state-owned Russian nuclear vendor that installed reactors at Iran’s nuclear plant in Bushehr, according to reports.

Gray Lady Journalism Influence Not Inform: NYT Tries to Tell Us Their Are Real Debates Going On
Debates Where Candidates Say Whatever They Want and Hard Questions None Existent Where Have You Gone Tim Russert
On and Off the Debate Stage, Candidates Spar in the Mayoral Race(NYT) Bill de Blasio huddles with his aides in a corner, rehearsing talking points. John C. Liu complains about being holed up with his rivals, even though he often arrives last. Christine C. Quinn, a chatterbox of nervous energy, jokes that the candidates are together so frequently, they should just car pool.  While The New York Times profiled the mayoral candidates’ backstage behavior: “Once inside, the candidates gravitate toward preferred locations, not unlike actors or dancers accustomed to hitting their masking tape spots on stage. At the poverty forum in Harlem, Mr. de Blasio occupied a corner, while Adolfo Carrión Jr., an independent, was seated, professor-like and leafing through his briefing materials. Mr. Thompson, Tom Allon, a Republican who later dropped out, and Ms. Quinn, meanwhile, were laughing amiably in the center.”* Flashback: 2013 is the year of the mayoral candidate forum. [Azi Paybarah]



5 of 8 mayoral candidates' kids go to public school(NYDN)  Five of the eight New York City mayoral candidates who have children send or have sent them to public school, according to a Daily News survey, with the other three sending their children to private or parochial school


NY Magazine Pushes Baby Pictures of Quinn

NY Magazine does a story about 30 famous New Yorkers early childhood and only includes one mayor candidates guess who? Colin Powell, Antonin Scalia, Joan Rivers,  Mel Brooks,

Christine Quinn, City Council Speaker, b. 1966 \

The Trouble With Christine Quinn(Gay City News)

It's ! NYC Mayoral candidate Sal Albanese talks baseball & his tryout for the :

de Blasio
How will Bill de Blasio create daylight now? [Dana Rubinstein]

Sick Pay
One editorial page comes out against the bill. [amNewYork] * Unions are divided on the paid sick leave deal negotiated by NYC Council Speaker Chris Quinn.

Police Monitor
Quinn's office emails: "GIULIANI SUPPORTED AN OUTSIDE MONITOR FOR NYPD IN 1993" cc: * Calls ’s Support For Inspector General ‘Reckless’ And ‘Dangerous.’ .

Endorsement
Working Families Party Endorses in 18 Council Races(NYO)

Board of Elections
Report: Consolidated Staff In NYC Elections Could Save Millions(YNN)
City Investigators Claim Election Officials Wasted Millions During 2011 Voting(NY1)

Manhattan Kidnapping Was Just a Very Elaborate Surprise Party(NYDN)

Slower Growth
NYC no longer projects growth of 1 million people by 2030. A major constraint? Housing. 

Campaign Finance
Campaign Finance Institute: NYS "candidates for the legislature in 2012 raised 74% of their money from donors who gave them $1,000 or more." * 3 bundlers is very few, even for Lhota  new campaign. has 159. has 147. has 88 and has 28.* Lhota Will Update Campaign Filing To Show Bundlers(YNN)

Eric Salgado, the lone Hispanic candidate in the Democratic NYC mayoral primary, is officially announcing his campaign Thursday at noon. (He’ll be introduced by Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.)

NY1 Online: Squadron Speaks About Public Advocate Run, LICH Closing
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Campaign Reform Waste

Instead of TV Ads the Goo Goos Should Bribe the Legislators with the $815 to Pass A Campaign Finance Law
Advocates of overhauling NY's campaign finance laws will start an $815K ad campaign on Monday. (NYT) * Campaign Finance Reformers Launch Ad Preview(YNN)


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Political Corruption

Quote of the Day: "I find it extremely difficult to sustain even another year here"--Vito Lopez

The Queens BP Does Not Need 5 Days of Sick Pay
EXCLUSIVE: Queens Borough President takes a lot of time off 
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall took off more than 40 days in 2012



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Albany's Budget Fallout


The Pork is Back Maybe
State legislators added roughly $28.7 million in member items to the state budget bill, reauthorizing nearly 1,900 old pork projects and giving something for Gov. Cuomo to consider as he reviews budget bills this week, the Times-Union writes: * Cuomo might veto nearly 1,900 old pork projects included in the new budget. He says the $28.7 million is actually new money.






Cuomo Act II: To Frack or Not To Frack That is the Question
Cuomo is “paralyzed” by indecision on whether the state should invest in natural gas drilling, worried that tough regulations and low natural gas prices in the state would make investments to develop new wells unlikely, the New York Post’s Fred Dicker reports: * While New York Post columnist Fred Dicker isn’t done taking shots over Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s bow. In his latest piece, Mr. Dicker says Mr. Cuomo is “paralyzed with indecision” over the hydrofracking issue, which he “developed cold feet” on. “Many say that the governor — who has taken a radical turn to the political left since the start of the year — is being guided by political considerations alone,” wrote Mr. Dicker, who constantly touts the benefits of drilling on his radio show.* Anti-Frackers Launch Call Cuomo Dial-A-Thon(YNN)



The NYP is Full of Crap Cuomo is Unbeatable . . .  But the State Senate Could Gain Seats
GOP licking chops at gov’s poll slide (NYP) ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo’s once stratospheric approval ratings have hit a slide this year — and state Republicans are smelling blood. GOP strategists have been talking with at least five potential 2014 Cuomo challengers.State Republican strategists are talking with at least five potential challengers to Cuomo in 2014, as the governor sees declining approval ratings, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Rep. Chris Gibson

EJ McMahon condemns the “rotten eggs” in the budget, which he insists will cost taxpayers even though they “waddle and quack like tax cuts.”* Businesses Benefiting Under Christie(WSJ) * In a Newsday OpEd, Cuomo writes that the 2013-14 budget is “yet another installment” in the process to transform New York into a pro-growth, business friendly state – despite the fact that many business groups have criticized it.* In a dueling TU OpEd, state GOP Chairman Ed Cox goes on the attack, writing: “Today is April Fools’ Day. We’re two years and three months into the Andrew Cuomo era, and so far this administration feels like a giant prank.”* With Cuomo’s poll numbers down, GOP strategists have been talking with at least five potential 2014 challengers: Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, 2010 state comptroller candidate Harry Wilson, Rep. Chris Gibson, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, and Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards, the 2010 GOP candidate for LG.* Senate GOP leader Dean Skelos insists that complaints from all sides on the new budget indicate “we’ve struck a balance.”* The Syracuse Post-Standard notes that taxpayers win some and lose some in the new budget. * Gov. Andrew Cuomo was knocked out of The Fix’s 2016 bracket by VP Joe Biden, who, at last check, was trailing Hillary Clinton by a very wide margin.* Greg David on NY: Skelos & Co. flunk economics, again(CrainsNY)


E.J. McMAHON: Quacks like a mess(NYP) Rotten eggs in NY’s new budget. Echoing the bayou hunters in the reality show “Duck Commander,” Gov. Cuomo said last week that he’s “hap, hap happy” with his new budget. But there are at least five reasons for New Yorkers in general to be less cheerful about the state spending plan for fiscal 2013-14, which starts today.
Guns
NYSRPA files 2nd Amendment civil rights lawsuit against City of New York



Tax Break
The cost to give a $350 tax break to some middle class taxpayers and to cover part of the higher payroll costs for businesses under the new minimum wage hike program is rising from $375 million to $410 million a year.


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Stop and Frisk Trial

 
State lawmaker testifies top cop admitted NYPD focuses on blacks, Hispanics(NYP)
State Sen. Eric Adams, D-Brooklyn, said Kelly made the startling admission during a July 2010 meeting in Manhattan with then-Gov. David Paterson and other officials.* Race and the NYPD: It's Complicated(huffingtonpost) * NYPD Commish Ray Kelly said "stop and frisk" intended to 'instill fear' in blacks and Latinos: State Sen. Eric Adams (NYDN) "He stated that he targeted and focused on that group because he wanted to instill fear in them that every time that they left their homes they could be targeted by police," Adams testifies.* Sen. Adams Claims Police Commissioner Said Stop-And-Frisk Used To "Instill Fear" In Blacks, Hispanics

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NYC Preservation

2% of the city, including 10% of Manhattan, is now encompassed by historic districts
Mayor of Preservation(WSJ) Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has quietly preserved more architecture than any of his predecessors, redefining how historic sites are protected and putting in an additional measure of control over development. Bloomberg’s administration has preserved more of New York City’s architecture than his predecessors, with 41 historic districts added or extended and two percent of the city now encompassed by these districts* During Bloomberg's tenure, 41 historic districts have been created or extended, more than under any other mayor. [Laura Kusisto]


This is what the Big Apple looks like FROM SPACE! Stunning photo taken aboard the International Space Station shows that NYC, not Paris, is the real 'City of Light'

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Painful Health Care Cuts

Update A Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge issues another TRO against SUNY Downstate's planned closure of Long Island College Hospital.

One victim of the federal budget sequester: medical training programs bringing physicians to underserved communities* Brooklyn hospital gets 1-month reprieveCrainsNY


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NYFD More Hate

Another FDNY emergency responder suspended for tasteless activity on social-media sites(NYP)


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NYC Government

Slip and Fall Lawsuits
Slip-and-fall lawsuits plague city houses of worship (NYP) It’s a fall from grace. Houses of worship in the city are getting slapped with nickel-and-dime personal-injury lawsuits by money-hungry litigants and their lawyers, The Post has learned.

Hotel NYC
For free ‘four-star’ accommodations, come to New York City!(NYP)
Since December, one in four single homeless people in city shelters listed their last known address outside New York. [Dana Sauchelli and Dan Macleod]


Madison Square Garden Tax Shelter
The Daily News mocks Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s plan to limit Madison Square Garden’s operating permit to 10 years as opposed to the 50-year permit the city previously awarded them

Businesses hoping for winning season on field and in ne(NYDN)

Sick Pay

The paid sick day discussion isn’t finished yet, and the Quinn-backed compromise legislation has at least one trigger to push the City Council to consider expanding mandated sick leave to more businesses in 2016. “The City Council today, 2013, obviously can’t tell the City Council of 2017 what to do,” explained Councilwoman Gale Brewer, the author of the bill. “We can’t say to them, ‘OK, so if the economy is doing better you need to pass a new law.’ Or if the economy is not doing better, blah blah blah. By law, we can’t do that.”  


Stop and Frisk
Ray Kelly admitted 'stop-and-frisk' targets blacks and Hispanics, a state lawmaker testified today  

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Pattycake's Gone

R.I.P. Pattycake, New York’s First Native Gorilla(NY Mag)
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NYC Secret Court

City’s secret courts(NYP)It’s as transparent as a closed door. In December 2011, one of New York’s top judicial officials demanded Family Courts remain open to the public — but in the past month, Manhattan judges have begun posting “Do not enter” signs on their courtroom doors.

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NYS Government

Dem staffer hits the 'octagon' as Albany blocks 'ultimate fighting' in New York(NYP)  As the Assembly continues to balk on lifting the MMA ban, Joseph Brady, an aide to Assemblyman Peter Abbate, fought in the amateur “Cage Wars 18″ at the Washington Avenue Armory against an Albany tattoo-parlor owner.

Traffic Cameras Alive
Senate co-Leader Jeffrey Klein revs up effort to get speed (NYDN)State Senate co-leader Jeff Klein is making it a priority to push through legislation this session that would allow for the installation of speed enforcement cameras in New York City, improving its chances for passage, the New York Daily News * Mayor Bloomberg’s feud with the State Senate Republicans–whose campaign committee he regularly gives $1 million contributions to–has apparently hit a fevered pitch. “It was a good idea to save kids’ lives eight years ago and now it’s chutzpah? I don’t understand,” Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson charged over Mr. Bloomberg’s push for speed cameras in the city. “This is a Republican conference that voted to raise taxes, to legalize marriage equality and to ban assault weapons, but they draw the line on speed cameras?”

Guns and Mental Health
A portion of the state’s new gun control law that requires mental health treatment providers to report a potentially dangerous patient to their county government, has come under fire from psychiatrists, county officials, and law enforcement, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports:  * Psychiatrists, county officials and law enforcement are questioning a portion of the SAFE Act that requires them to take steps that could lead to firearms being seized from potentially dangerous people they encounter or counsel. 

Minimum Wage
The WSJ slams the minimum wage deal, writing: “Even if Republicans weren’t willing to oppose the higher minimum wage because it does well in the polls, couldn’t they have at least insisted on a teenage exclusion or sub-minimum wage?” 

Medicaid
Medicaid payments slashed in deal between Feds and Cuomo (NYP)House oversight committee tabulates lower Medicaid reimbursement funds for NY
 

Costly Special Ed Programs
The state education department needs to better monitor the expenses at special ed programs for 3- and 4-year-olds, since it "is becoming a costly, out-of-control sinkhole." [Daily News]

Health Care
Lawmakers slam hospital doors on private capital(CrainsNY)

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Sandy

Fire Island's Storm Breach Spurs Debate(WSJ) With every nor'easter since Sandy, the Fire Island breach has grown, along with debate over whether to view the cut as natural or as damage in need of repair. A breach at Fire Island on Long Island’s South Shore has coincided with serious flooding in communities along the Great South Bay though data is inconclusive on whether there is a direct connection between the breach and the flooding*
Staten Island contractors still waiting to be paid by city(SI Advance)
New chapter: Red Hook library turns the page on Hurricane Sandy(Brooklyn Paper)

 
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WTC



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Media


Big Apple is becoming the new Hollywood for A-list TV production: Report (AMNY)


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Washington

As Views Evolve on Guns, Reid Corrals a Shifting Senate(NYT) The gun bills that the Senate is about to consider offer a new example of the skill with which its leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, evolves on issues. *Books of Hope, Found in Newtown Gunman’s Home(NYT) * Too Little, Too Late? Morning Joe Laments Obama's 'Unfortunate' Lack Of Gun Control Progress Since Newtown(VIDEO)
Gun Bill Edges to Senate Floor(WSJ)
Everyone Agrees on the Senate Immigration Bill, Except Rubio(NY Mag)
Harry Reid Is a Former NRA Supporter, Master of ‘Evolving’(NY Mag)
Sen. Chuck Schumer sidestepped questions about whether Bloomberg’s $12 million ad campaign targeting Democratic senators on gun control is doing more harm than good.
Chris Wallace To Mark Kelly: Background Checks Wouldn't Have Stopped Shooting Of Gabby Giffords (VIDEO)


Caroline Kennedy to be US ambassador to Japan: reports (NYP)
Slain Texas Lawman Had Pledged to Hunt Down ‘Scum’(NYT)
Sequester Impact Remains Elusive(WSJ)
Caroline Kennedy to be ambassador to Japan(Wall Street Journal)
Hillary Clinton is doing just enough to keep major Democratic donors waiting for her. [Jim Rutenberg]
America's Trade Muddle - Robert Samuelson, Washington Post
ObamaCare Fails to Keep Promises - Sen. Mitch McConnell, USA Today
Lessons From a Comeback - Paul Krugman, New York Times
Union Greed Drives California to Bankruptcy - Steven Greenhut, Reason
How the Central Bankers Saved the World - Neil Irwin, Washington Post
Financialization of the Economy Will End in Tears - David Stockman, NYT
Why the Euro Is Doomed in 4 Steps - Matthew O'Brien, The Atlantic
MSM Focused GOP Woes, But Dems Increasingly Divided - Jack Kelly, PPG
It'll Be Struggle, But Dems Will Hold the Senate - Juan Williams, The Hill
How KY Dems Elbowed Ashley Judd Out - Jonathan Miller, The Daily Beast
Obamas Living 1% Life, Courtesty of Taxpayers - Joseph Curl, Wash Times
North Korea's Dangerous Game - Evan Osnos, The New Yorker
Islamists Methodically Exterminating Christians - Ralph Peters, NY Post
Hagel Warns of Big Squeeze at the Pentagon - Thom Shanker, NY Times
The Shame of Three Strikes Laws - Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone
How Public School Kids Get Cheated - Sol Stern, The Daily Beast
Hope's Opening Day - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
Sunday Panels: This Week | FOX News Sunday | MTP | Face the Nation
US Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, announced his support for same-sex marriage.
The Senate Finally Gets Dynamic - Wall Street Journal
The Immigration Spring - New York Times
Napolitano Must Do Her Part on Immigration Reform - Arizona Republic
Pay the Dorner Rewards - Los Angeles Times
On the Economy, Think Long-Term - Jeffrey Sachs, New York Times
Does Sebelius Know What Insurance Is? - Megan McArdle, The Daily Beast
Republicans Have a Brand Problem - Chris Cillizza, Washington Post
McConnell Preps to Give Dems Political Shellacking - Ralph Benko, Forbes
Yes, Let's Keep Government Out of Marriage - Erick Erickson, Red State
Does Google Benefit by Aligning w/Liberalism? - Emily Chertoff, Atlantic
The New Chicago Mob - Jeff Carter, Points & Figures
2012 Doesn't Mean Republicans Need Reboot - John Sides, Washington Post
Could Michelle Obama Run in 2016? - Eleanor Clift, The Daily Beast
Rubio's Foreign Policy Will Be a Liablity - Daniel Larison, The Week
Why Passenger Trains Flunk - Michael Barone, Washington Examiner
ADHD Seen in 11% of U.S. Kids as Diagnoses Rise - Schwarz & Cohen, NYT


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Wall Street

Pay for Bank Boards Soars, Even Amid Cuts for Executives(NYT)
Towns See Banks Cut Back Branches(WSJ)




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Washington




Bx. dad shot dead after receiving mystery message — as daughter waited nearby(NYP)

 Man tried on Cartier watch and ran out the door with it: cops(NYP)




Mother in coma doesn’t know son is brain-dead after traffic accident in Brooklyn(NYP) * Boy, 2, clings to life after Brooklyn accident(WSJ) * Tot hurt in crash at Brooklyn bus stop may not recover(NYDN)
Bronx psych patient hides coke in butt cheeks: cops(NYDN)

Abduction, or Hoax? A Mystery in Manhattan Grows(NYT) Two days after a kidnapping, investigators were still trying to determine who took a man and a woman off a street in Washington Heights, or if the incident was all a ruse.* Suspects, Victims Of Alleged Washington Heights Kidnapping Still At Large(NY1) * Cops: Washington Heights Abduction May Have Been Hoax(WABC) Update Manhattan Kidnapping Was Just a Very Elaborate Surprise Party 
* Manhattan ‘Kidnapping’ Was Birthday Joke, Police Say(NYT)

'Karma is a son of a b----!': Vile ghoul, who made millions illicitly harvesting corpses, dying of bone cancer(NYDN)


Pimp gets 62 years for beating, raping harem of hookers under his control(NYP)

Sobbing ex-head of Bronx gay community center sentenced to at least 2 years in prison for stealing funds(NYP)
2 pedestrians dead in Bronx hit and run(WABC)* 2 dead in Bronx hit and run(Fox 5)

Livery driver dead after being shot in face

The co-author of the "Mapping Muslims" report writes an op-ed describing the negative impact the police surveillance program has on Muslim residents here. [Diala Shamas]