Today's top stories from sunny San Diego:

Council Passes Budget -- VoSD & SDUT
The San Diego City Council today passed a $3.2 billion budget for fiscal 2009 that includes the restoration of 62 positions that Mayor Jerry Sanders cut in his original budget proposal. The Mayor's Office vowed to veto the changes, which means the council will have to vote again if it wants to restore the jobs -- most of which are in the parks and recreation and library budgets.

Frye, DeMaio City Hall's Newest Political Duo -- VoSD & SDUT
San Diego City Council's newest political duo -- Donna Frye and Carl DeMaio -- announced Monday the formation of a study group that they hope will improve how the city's legislative body conducts its business.

Aguirre 'Examining' Goldsmith's Record -- VoSD
I just got off the phone with City Attorney Mike Aguirre. He had a pitch for me. Aguirre says his challenger for city attorney, Jan Goldsmith, is the "most political" of the various candidates who ran for city attorney.

Court receiver asks Schwarzenegger to improve Calif. prisons -- SDUT
The court-appointed receiver who oversees medical services in California's prisons wants Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to invoke his emergency powers to provide $7 billion to improve inmate care.

Superintendent, The Power is Yours -- VoSD
San Diego Unified's board will be asked to "affirm" the power of its superintendent Tuesday -- an unusual step that involves no apparent policy change by the school board.

Surfrider group wants city to ban plastic bags -- SDUT
The Surfrider Foundation is petitioning the Encinitas City Council to ban single-use plastic bags, such as those used at grocery stores.