First Take: Jerry Brown jumps in. Steve Poizner hits the airwaves. John Perez takes over.

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Well, it’s official -- almost. Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown will announce his candidacy for governor via online video late Monday morning.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reported receiving more than $585,000 worth of gifts in 2009.

Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner has launched his long-awaited first television spot, painting himself as the race’s true conservative and blasting his GOP rival, Meg Whitman.

University of California students descended on Sacramento on Monday to protest proposed increases in student fees. And some protesters got some unexpected face-time with Schwarzenegger.

The Assembly has a new speaker as Los Angeles Democrat John Perez officially took over for Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) Monday.

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