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On last night’s program, we debated a sick-leave bill with the owner of City Hall Restaurant, Henry Meer, and Manhattan City Councilman Gail Brewer. Watch the video above.

Tonight’s program includes: Our Friday Reporters Roundtable

The New York Times

Danny Hakim reports: “Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has decided not to run for governor next year after months of considering a candidacy, according to people who have been told of the decision.”

Hakim also notes: “The state’s highest court on Thursday upheld policies giving some government benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married outside the state, but did not rule on whether gay marriage should be legal in New York, leaving that issue for the Legislature to decide.”

Nick Confessore looks at the corruption trial of Joe Bruno.

Patrick McGeehan notes: “The usual preholiday hiring by stores did not happen in October as New York City’s unemployment rate held at 10.3 percent, its highest level in 16 years, the State Labor Department said Thursday.”

Willie Rashbaum reports: “Even as it faces a $5 billion budget deficit, service cuts and possible layoffs, the Bloomberg administration is preparing to spend several million dollars to hire a private testing firm to administer construction industry licensing exams that are currently overseen by city employees.”

New York Post

Dicker & Campanile write: “Rudy Giuliani isn't going to run for governor in 2010, avoiding a potentially bruising election fight against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, several sources said yesterday. And while he's left the door open to running for US Senate against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, many people close to him said they considered such a run unlikely, despite a report claiming he had made up his mind and would announce for that race within 48 hours.”

From Albany, Fred Dicker reports: “State lawmakers walked out on Gov. Paterson yesterday, abandoning a special legislative session meant to cut New York's looming $3.2 billion deficit. Senate Democratic Conference leader John Sampson of Brooklyn abruptly canceled what was supposed to be a 4 p.m. session after realizing that several senior committee chairs had left in disgust over inaction and headed back to their districts.”

Dave Seifman notes: “Repudiating his own campaign theme, Mayor Bloomberg yesterday praised Comptroller Bill Thompson as someone ‘who's really tried to make this city better’ and who has based his decisions on facts, not politics.”

And Seifman also writes: “Just 48 hours after threatening layoffs, Mayor Bloomberg turned good guy yesterday and defended city workers for providing ‘great services’ -- and insisted they deserve the significant raises he's given them.”

New York Daily News

A News trio reports: “Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has decided against running for governor, but is strongly considering running for U.S. Senate instead, sources told the Daily News.”

In a News analysis piece, David Saltonstall notes: “Rudy Giuliani doesn't have to run for governor, or senator, either, because he's already got a bigger voice and bank account than most elected leaders.”

Columnist Juan Gonzalez wants the city’s 911 call system to be overhauled.

The edit-heads want the feds to pay for all of the security costs surrounding the 9/11 trials in lower Manhattan.

Have a great Thanksgiving. I’ll be back on Nov. 30th.

Excelsior!

Bob Hardt