New York Today: De Blasio’s Diversity

By ANDY NEWMAN and ANNIE CORREAL 23 minutes ago

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Welcome, Health Commissioner.

What you need to know for Thursday: the mayor’s diversity record, another cold morning, and the habits of thrifty state legislators

Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times

The lobby of a Comfort Inn in Glenmont, N.Y. Many legislators stay at this hotel, taking advantage of a special lawmaker rate of $64.95 per night.

While in Albany, Lawmakers Squeeze Their Stipends

By SUSANNE CRAIG and THOMAS KAPLAN

Some New York legislators, now negotiating the state budget, have been accused of taking advantage of their per diem to pad their paychecks and fund extracurricular activities.