Local budgets
Arizona Senate passes budget, tax cut after House Dems walk

By Jonathan J. Cooper And Bob Christie Jun. 22, 2021 08:29 PM EDT
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona House Democrats refused to show up at the Capitol on Tuesday, blocking debate on a budget and a major tax cut primarily benefiting the...

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2020 photo, Baltimore Police Academy cadets listen to an instructor during an on the field class session learning to direct traffic, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in Baltimore. As rising murder rates gain attention in U.S. cities, Republicans have ramped up misleading attacks by casting Democrats as anti-police. It's a message they believe helped them stave off greater Democratic gains and one with renewed potency particularly in cities that cut police department budgets amid calls to overhaul policing last year. It's not clear whether the GOP strategy, with roots back to President Nixon's law-and-order message, will be a success for a party that has little support in American cities. But Republicans hope to stem their decline in suburbs with by attacking Democrats' on domestic safety. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
GOP ramps up misleading attack on Democrats' policing policy

By Thomas Beaumont Jun. 13, 2021 08:59 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, voters cast their ballots at a polling place in Newport Beach, Calif. It will cost California counties an estimated $215 million to stage an expected recall election this year that could oust Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Democrats move to cover recall costs, speed up election date

By Michael R. Blood Jun. 10, 2021 05:41 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo a protester holds a sign that reads "Defund Police" during a rally for the late George Floyd outside Barclays Center in New York. Some police organizations and Republican politicians are blaming Democrats and last year's defund the police effort for a troubling rise in homicides in many cities across the country. The increases are real, and some cities did make modest cuts to police spending. But the claims by Republicans overlook the fact homicides are up in many cities, including ones that increased police spending or have Republican mayors. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Homicides are up, but GOP misleads with claims about blame

By David Klepper And Gary Fields Jun. 10, 2021 10:00 AM EDT

Maine city holds another election with COVID-19 protocols

Jun. 08, 2021 07:05 AM EDT
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's largest city was scheduled to hold another local election with some coronavirus protocols in place on Tuesday. ...

Editorial Roundup: Kentucky

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2021 12:18 PM EDT
Bowling Green Daily News. May 21, 2021. Editorial: Leaders right to object to child-focused social media network It is...

Lamont order will allow absentee voting in spring elections

Apr. 06, 2021 06:46 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order Tuesday that will allow people to use the continuing COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to vote by...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2021 08:19 AM EDT
Recent editorials from Florida newspapers: ___ March 31 The Palm Beach Post on the “anti-riot” bill...

Federal virus relief expected to send billions to Kentucky

By Bruce Schreiner Mar. 09, 2021 03:59 PM EST
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's government is forecast to eventually receive about $2.4 billion from the latest round of federal pandemic relief, the state...

San Francisco paying $16.1 million for homeless tent camps

Mar. 04, 2021 10:57 PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco is paying $16.1 million to feed and house people in tent villages as the city struggles with a swelling homeless population....

Editorial Roundup: Kansas

By The Associated Press Mar. 02, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Manhattan Mercury. February 24, 2021. Editorial: The path forward along the Kansas River There’s a lot to like about...

Vermont Town Meeting Day will decide issues large and small

Mar. 02, 2021 04:00 AM EST
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — It’s Town Meeting Day in VermontTuesday and communities across the state are deciding issues as varied as local budgets to electing...

FILE - In this March 11, 2008, file photo, moderator Dick Kipperman, right, accepts a resident's ballot during the annual town meeting in Springfield, N.H. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Could pandemic further erode the New England town meeting?

By Wilson Ring Feb. 26, 2021 10:29 AM EST

Chicago spent $281.5 million in pandemic relief cash on cops

Feb. 17, 2021 07:38 PM EST
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief money on the personnel costs for the police department, the...

FILE—In this file photo from Dec. 19, 2019, Dayton mayor Nan Whaley gives an interview in her office in Dayton, Ohio. Whaley says she won't seek a third term, raising expectations the Democrat will seek higher office just days after she criticized Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. (AP Photo/Daniel Sewell, File)
From city halls, the plea for COVID-19 aid is bipartisan

By Bill Barrow Feb. 17, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Arthur Williams, 31, of Atlanta protests on Saturday, June 13, 2020, near the Wendy's restaurant, in Atlanta, where Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by police late Friday during a struggle following a field sobriety test. Authorities said the slain man had grabbed an officer's Taser, but was running away when he was shot. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Georgia bill aims to block 'defunding' of police

By Jeff Amy Feb. 16, 2021 01:01 PM EST

Philadelphia mayor warns of possible $450 million budget gap

Feb. 16, 2021 11:35 AM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The city of Philadelphia is warning of a potential $450 million budget gap for the 2022 fiscal year and is asking residents to weigh in on...

Vaccine registration off to strong start in New Hampshire

By Holly Ramer Jan. 22, 2021 09:18 AM EST
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Registration for the next phase of New Hampshire's coronavirus vaccination plan got off to a quick start Friday, with more than 70,000...

County gives $6M to 12,000 people affected by virus limits

Dec. 25, 2020 09:55 AM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan's largest county said it quickly exhausted $500 payments for roughly 12,000 people whose work has been disrupted by coronavirus...

Yakima council member misses 28 meetings, collects stipends

By Lex Talamo Dec. 22, 2020 10:10 AM EST
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — As the year draws to a close, Yakima City Council member Jason White’s attendance record has only gotten worse. White...