Rep. Charlie Rangel’s ethics committee hearing begins at 1 p.m. today, barring any last-minute deals.

Rangel’s fellow Democrats are frustrated by his unwillingness to cop a plea.

The key sticking point for the embattled congressman is reportedly his refusal to admit making improper solicitations for a CCNY center named after him. Asked if he’ll make a deal, Rangel said: “It depends what the settlement is.”

Rangel told his colleagues he’ll understand if they abandon him, joking to one junior House Democrat: “I know you love me, but love yourself more.”

He may be falling from grace, but Rangel looks good doing it, Dana Milbank notes.

Gov. David Paterson exercised bad judgment in involving himself in the domestic violence case of a former top aide, but did nothing criminal, former Chief Judge Judith Kaye’s report found.

The aide, David Johnson, may yet face charges from the Bronx DA in connection with the Oct. 31, 2009 incident.

“The independent counsel’s 54-page report released on Wednesday reads, in large part, like a how-not-to guide to government management,” the Times says.

The Kaye report provided the best possible political outcomes for both AG Andrew Cuomo and Paterson, writes David Halbfinger, even though the Yankees tickets probe remains unresolved. (Former Paterson consultant Tracy Sefl is among those who considers the findings inadequate).

Bill Hammond thinks the Booker-Johnson mess would have turned out differently for Paterson had he “controlled his tendency to shade inconvenient truth.”

The Post says the Kaye report is “hardly an exoneration” – no matter what Paterson’s attorney might say.

The report revealed an unusual reporting technique by an unnamed Times reporter.

Former Lobbying Commission Executive Director David Grandeau thinks the Kaye report missed something big. (Fixed).

The Legislature is due back in session at 10 a.m. this morning after gaveling in and gaveling out without passing any bills last night. Lawmakers say it’s possible they’ll be back in Albany next week, too.

In the end, five Democrats and four Republicans were no-shows.

The Senate Democrats insisted that Paterson had not delivered any bills to the Legislature for the session, but stacks of neglected bills appeared in the Capitol hallways.

A Q poll found 75 percent of New Yorkers think state government is dysfunctional and a majority are ready to vote out their own lawmakers.

Carl Paladino says he won’t be a spolier in the November elections, insisting that if he doesn’t win the GOP primary, he won’t run on a third party line in the general.

“We don’t see how we lose (the primary),” Paladino campaign manager Michael Caputo said.

Nine Rensselaer County Democrats are targeted in a WFP voter fraud conspiracy investigation.

President Obama was in NYC yesterday to tape a first-ever appearance on “The View” (set to air this morning) and raise some $2 million for the DNC.

Former Sen. Serf Maltese is angling for a new job at the NYC Board of Elections.

Rep. Peter King lashed out at House Democrats over their failure to pass the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Mayor Bloomberg is fighting “no-proof” illness disability for firefighters and cops – a cherished benefit they have long enjoyed.

Bloomberg called it “shocking” and “terribly worrisome” that a majority of Americans supported the Arizona immigration law just blocked by a federal judge.

New Yorkers are split on the law, 41-43, according to a new Q poll out today.

The TU takes Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice to task for failing to vote for 18 years, and wonders at her attempt to cast that in a positive light.

NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is teaming up with the Bloomberg administration to combat bed bugs. (There’s a bed bug “Web portal”!)

There will be no more bailouts for the MTA.

Test scores are down all over the state.

A cyclists advocacy group plans to protest outside Bloomberg’s Upper East Side townhouse.

Newscasters are making a beeline for Rhinebeck to cover Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. (Or, what they can see of it, which will be not much).

“We’ll be urging people to find alternate routes around the Rhinebeck area,” said New York State Police Maj. Michael A. Kopy. “We’re expecting a significant influx of media to the area.”

Even Gail Collins takes note of the Clinton nuptials (and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s inclusion on The Hill’s “most beautiful” list).

The event is so exclusive event President Obama didn’t score an invite.

The primary between Tim Carney and Democratic Sen. Neil Breslin is on.

Rep. Dan Maffei voted “no” on more funding for the Afghan War.

VP Joe Biden was at Fort Drum.

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