First Take: Steinberg vs. Pérez. Whitman goes retro. San Diego ballot count continues

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As the state’s budget deadline looms this week, Evan Halper and Patrick McGreevy look at the relationship between Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be in Sacramento on Monday, adding his voice to those who support Pérez’s budget plan.

Ballot counting continues Monday in San Diego County, where former Assemblyman Juan Vargas holds a six-vote lead over Assemblywoman Mary Salas (D-San Diego) in a Democratic primary for state Senate.

Democrats hope the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may make it easier to pass a new tax on oil production.

Cathleen Decker looks at Meg Whitman’s efforts to evoke the 1960s and her ‘dredging up the turbulent past in hopes of gaining political advantage.’

Sarah Palin made a controversial appearance at a Cal State Stanislaus fundraising dinner on Friday.

-- Anthony York

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