NEW THIS MORNING

WHO WANTS TO BE THE MAYOR? In a preview of the 2013 mayoral race in New York City, City & State assesses the crowded field of candidates [http://bit.ly/YjY9DX], weighs the potential impact of independent expenditures this year [http://bit.ly/WzUtPe], takes a look at the coverage of City Comptroller John Liu in the Chinese-language media [http://bit.ly/WzU3sg], and tracks a protest movement against Council Speaker Christine Quinn [http://bit.ly/UEKNCO]. NEW THIS MORNING: * Gov. Cuomo plans to empower the state Education Department to act as an arbitrator in negotiations between New York City and the United Federation of Teachers over a teacher evaluation plan unless an agreement is reached shortly, The Wall Street Journal writes: http://on.wsj.com/X9KKvt *Sources say that the federal investigation into New York City Comptroller John Liu's campaign finances is nearing an end, with wiretaps failing to yield enough evidence to support charges against him, The New York Times writes: http://nyti.ms/WzUZwS HEARD AROUND TOWN: * In the latest development in the ongoing battle between Cablevision and its Brooklyn workers over their attempt to unionize, the cable company fired 23 employees on Wednesday after they allegedly refused to return to their jobs after confronting management about a lack of movement at the negotiating table. "A small number of Brooklyn technicians refused to work Wednesday after several requests to return to their jobs," said Cablevision Spokesman Jim Maiella. "Therefore, Cablevision took legal and appropriate steps to maintain adequate staffing and ensure its Brooklyn operations are not disrupted." The Brooklyn workers and the Communications Workers of America District 1, who are backing the workers' efforts to form a union, tell a different side of the story. Tim Dubnau, an organizing coordinator for CWA District 1, said that the workers approached management yesterday per the company's open door policy to air their grievances over the lack of bargaining sessions. They were then kicked out by management and told that they were being fired for refusing to work, despite the fact that none of the workers had gone on strike, and simply wanted a sit-down with management, according to Dubnau. "This is a company that has utter contempt for its workers, they have utter contempt for the law, all they care about is lining the pockets of [Cablevision CEO James] Dolan and his cronies," Dubnau said. This morning, several elected officials including Democratic mayoral candidates Christine Quinn and Bill de Blasio and many state and city legislators will walk the fired Brooklyn workers back to work in protest of Cablevision's decision.