First Take: Lawmakers vote for increased sentences. City attorney given new powers.

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Shane Goldmacher catches up with Meg Whitman on the campaign trail, while Michael Rothfeld reports on more apparent contradictions in Steve Poizner’s record.

Jack Dolan and Patrick McGreevy break down some of the key bills passed by the Legislature Thursday.Among them: increased sentences for sex offenders and people who drive while using cell phones.

The state Senate voted to give the Los Angeles city attorney grand jury powers

Community colleges are among the state-funded institutions bracing for a tough budget fight.

Jean Merl reports Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) is all but assured election to Congress this year, beginning with her relatively uncontested primary on Tuesday.

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