First Take: Poll shows voters want it both ways. Nancy Pelosi reelected Democratic House leader. Grading Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Californians don’t want to pay more in taxes to help close the state’s $25-billion budget deficit, but they want to hold on to the social programs that are paid for by the state. Those are the findings of a new L.A. Times/USC poll.

George Skelton offers up some grades for Gov. Arnold Schwarznegger.

Nancy Pelosi was reelected as Democratic House leader while California Republican Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) assumed the No. 3 leadership post in the new Republican majority.

Four officers were hurt and 13 students arrested outside a UC Regents meeting in San Francisco Wednesday as students protested higher university fees.

Meg Whitman reached a settlement with her former housekeeper over unpaid wages.

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