First Take: Top races too close to call. State lawmakers look at Bell scandal. Steinberg sees budget solution

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A new poll shows both the races for governor and U.S Senate are close, with about one-fourth of voters still undecided in each race.

State lawmakers are among those looking at remedies in the wake of the Bell salary scandal.

Maeve Reston reports California Republicans are not talking about the environment, a popular issue among the state’s voters.

George Skelton says the Senate leader, Darrell Steinberg, sees a way out of the budget stalemate.

Furloughs for state workers may be back, if the budget stalemate drags on past Aug.13.

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento