First Take: Follow the money. Dems revise budget plan. Affirmative action ban upheld.

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By early summer, Meg Whitman’s campaign was spending more money per day than Jerry Brown’s campaign had spent for the year.

But Brown has received a $6-million boost from one group of unions and wealthy donors.

Among other gifts from lobbying firms, lawmakers took Lakers playoff tickets from a developer who pushed legislation facilitating the construction of an NFL stadium in L.A. County.

California’s high court has upheld a law barring affirmative action.

The stage is set for Rep. Maxine Waters’ ethics trial over an alleged conflict of interest.

Legislative Democrats will unveil their updated budget plan Tuesday, more than five weeks past the constitutional deadline to have a budget in place.

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento