“Inside City Hall,” an hour-long look at New York politics, can be seen on NY1 News weekdays at 7 and 10 p.m.

On last night’s “Inside City Hall”, State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox told us why he was happy with Mitt Romney’s choice of running mate.

Watch a clip of the interview above.

Tonight’s guests include the NY1 Wiseguys and Wayne Dawkins, the author of “City Son”, a new book about journalist and political activist Andrew Cooper.

The New York Times

Kate Taylor reports: “Responding to longstanding appeals from civil rights groups, the City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, plans to introduce a bill that would significantly expand New York City’s efforts to direct contracts to companies owned by women and minorities.

New York Post

Dave Seifman reports: “Plans to open a soccer stadium in Queens scored big yesterday with Mayor Bloomberg.”

Seifman also notes: “The city has weathered the economic downturn better than most other municipalities because it puts out a welcome mat for immigrants, Mayor Bloomberg declared yesterday.”

Seifman & Sutherland writes: “Six years ago, while serving as the city’s homeless- services commissioner, Hess sparked an uproar when he placed homeless families in a single room occupancy building on West 94th Street leased by controversial landlord Alan Lapes.”

Sally Goldenberg writes: “Democratic state Sen. Malcolm Smith wooed two Republican county chairmen last night in hopes of getting their endorsement for mayor next year. The two GOP leaders — Jay Savino of The Bronx and Dan Isaacs of Manhattan — said they came away from their meeting impressed by the senator’s moderate stance on law-enforcement policies.”

Goldenberg notes: “Forget bike lanes and pedestrian plazas: It’s time to accommodate emergency responders navigating Queens’ deadliest road, a lawmaker says.”

New York Daily News

Erin Durkin writes: “Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott appeared bandaged and bruised at a news conference Monday — but no teachers have been implicated. Though Walcott frequently battles the teachers union, he had only himself to blame for dislocating the middle finger on his left hand, he said. He fell while walking to the gym Saturday, then drove himself to the emergency room.”

Durkin & Smith report: “Mayor Bloomberg testily vowed Monday to release a taxpayer-funded $10 million report on the city Housing Authority that the agency has so far kept secret.”

Wall Street Journal

Michael Howard Saul reports: “Former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton is signaling his interest in succeeding Commissioner Raymond Kelly, holding private meetings with potential mayoral candidates during which he's discussing public-safety strategies and his desire to return to service. Mr. Bratton, who has also served as Los Angeles and Boston's top cop, has met with Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, former Comptroller Bill Thompson, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and media executive Tom Allon, each of whom is preparing a bid to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg.”

Until tomorrow.

Bob Hardt