Capitol Alert

In case you missed it:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration asked the California Supreme Court to consolidate and review seven cases related to the governor's furlough authority, including a recent Alameda Superior Court decision on "special fund" workers that is under appeal.

A state appellate court ruled that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's line-item vetoes last year reducing funding for several programs were constitutional.

Attorney General Jerry Brown made it official that he's running for California governor.

Watch the video of Jerry Brown making his announcement here.

Meanwhile, GOP guv-hopeful Steve Poizner is hitting the airwaves with his first television spot of the campaign.

Half of California voters think legislators should focus on spending cuts over taxes to close all or part of the $19.9 billion budget deficit, according to the latest Field Poll.

In his first press conference as Assembly speaker, John A. Pérez shied away from taking a stance on the lieutenant governor nomination of Sen. Abel Maldonado, telling reporters that the governor's pick has "got to go and find his 41 votes."

Mickey Kaus, an political blogger on the Slate Web site, has taken out nomination papers to challenge U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in June's Democratic primary.

The body of Ken Gosting, who was a high-ranking aide to Attorney General Jerry Brown during his governorship three decades ago, was found near his home in the Sierra foothills last week.

Check out our video of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's chief of staff Susan Kennedy, Senate Republican leader Dennis Hollingsworth and Democratic Assemblywoman Fiona Ma facing off in a sushi-making competition.

Speaking of videos, Schwarzenegger isn't the Capitol's only motion-picture actor.

In tomorrow's Bee:

With Jerry Brown officially jumping into the governor's race Tuesday, state voters are facing a stark choice in who should lead California through its most difficult period in decades. Jack Chang reports.

Caltrans should eliminate 1,500 full-time positions in its highway construction division because of inefficiencies and overstaffing, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office. Kevin Yamamura has the story.

Torey Van Oot reports that legislative leaders want to crack down on lobbyists texting lawmakers while they prepare to vote, but it all may be for show.

Dan Walters says the pivotal question in the governor's race is whether Jerry Brown's "world-class verbal skills can overcome a big bucks opponent and create the lasting image of a practical and effective political manager."

Thousands of students, faculty and others are expected to descend on the Capitol Thursday to protest fee increases and instructional cuts. The Bee's editorial board says they're coming to the right place.

Bee columnist Dan Morain writes that whoever becomes California's next governor will find him or herself ever more hamstrung by laws created through the ballot box.