The Morning Read: Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Michael Bloomberg partied with Hillary Clinton.

The priest who gave the invocation at David Paterson’s inauguration was accused of sexual misconduct.

The Manhattan D.A. won’t be prosecuting the case.

But the Manhattan D.A. is investigating wealthy New Yorkers who allegedly are evading taxes.

Ron Lauder’s spokesman denies rumors he would be OK with Bloomberg extending term limits.

Tom Golisano isn’t answering the phone when Dean Skelos calls.

Golisano wants to shrink the size of West Seneca’s government.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares may have a Republican challenger (if he can get on the ballot).

Ryan Karben wants to move his D.U.I. case from South Nyack to Orangetown.

The NYPD has stopped keeping track of the race of civilians involved in police shootings.

Tom DiNapoli wants more flexibility in making investment decisions about the state pension.

DiNapoli also does not think the legislature will have to make drastic cuts to plug the budget gap.

The New York Post editorial board slams Bloomberg’s economic legacy, and says he “knows very well where most of the federal non-defense spending goes: to the very social programs - entitlements in particular - he wants to expand.”

Bill Hammond likes Paterson’s fiscal restraint, and writes, “You would never have foreseen his current crusade based on his record in the Senate.”

Jennifer Steinhauer looks at the dwindling number of registered Republican voters.

Denver police are ready for Democrats (and their protesters).

David Brooks writes, “If Obama is fully a member of any club — and perhaps he isn’t — it is the club of smart post-boomer meliorates.”

Bob Herbert doesn’t see much leadership in the area of energy conservation.

The Port Authority isn’t playing ball with the Bush administration’s plan to auction time slots at the airports.

Stefanie Cohen writes, “[C]ity lawyers say they shouldn't have to shell out too much cash to a man who was paralyzed from the neck down in the Staten Island Ferry crash because he's not going to live that long anyway.”

Corporate welfare goes on trial in Albany.

And New Jersey’s attorney general got a speeding ticket.