Phoenix ballot-measure argument deadline is Aug. 5 ahead of November council election
Phoenix’s deadline for pro and con ballot-measure arguments is Aug. 5, part of the city’s election calendar for the Nov. 3, 2026 City Council election.
Politics & Government
Elections, public policy, government decisions, budgets, regulation, ethics, civil rights, and public administration.
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Chicago faces $130 million revenue shortfall as new forecast nears
Mayor Brandon Johnson said Chicago is $130 million short of revenue expected under assumptions tied to the City Council-approved 2026 spending plan. A new forecast is expected by the end of August.
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Worcester city manager recommends against independent civilian police-review board
City Manager Eric Batista has recommended against creating a new independent civilian police-review board, favoring stronger existing oversight mechanisms instead. A city charter-review discussion is scheduled for Aug. 17.
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Albuquerque council rejects proposed 0.4875% gross-receipts-tax ballot measure
The Albuquerque City Council voted 4-5 on June 15 to reject a resolution that would have put a proposed 0.4875% municipal gross-receipts tax for essential services before voters.
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Boise council sets Aug. 11 hearing on 135.9-acre Orchard Street mixed-use subdivision
Boise City Council is scheduled to hear a preliminary plat application for 35 buildable lots on 135.9 acres at 6310 S. Orchard St. on Aug. 11, 2026.
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Raleigh schedules Aug. 18 hearings on two annexation petitions
Raleigh City Council will hold public hearings Aug. 18 on petitions involving properties on Mitchell Mill Road and Barrington Drive.
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Austin proposes $6.6 billion budget; final action remains pending
Austin released a proposed $6.6 billion fiscal-year budget on July 22, 2026, describing fiscal sustainability and high-priority community needs as central focuses. The proposal was not final, and Aug. 4 is listed as a budget-related date.
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Kansas launches new statewide Office of Early Childhood
Kansas’ new cabinet-level Office of Early Childhood began operations July 1, consolidating programs and staff from several state entities under inaugural director Christi Smith.
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Vermont primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11, with statewide nominations at stake
Vermont’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2026, setting up party nominations before the Nov. 3 general election. Vermont Public has announced debate and interview programming for candidates in major statewide contests.
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Bridgeport prepares for August 11 primary as absentee ballots and enrollment deadlines pass
Bridgeport’s next scheduled election is the August 11, 2026 primary. The Registrar of Voters lists July 21 for absentee-ballot availability and July 24 as the registration and enrollment cutoff, subject to statutory exceptions.
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Delaware governor signs first comprehensive freshwater-wetlands protection program
Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 9 on July 21, 2026, establishing Delaware’s first comprehensive state program to protect freshwater wetlands and create a clearer permitting framework.
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Missouri Amendment 4 petition drive seeks new district-by-district rule for citizen initiatives
Supporters of proposed Amendment 4 submitted more than 300,000 signatures for a possible November 2026 ballot measure that would require citizen-led constitutional amendments to win all eight Missouri congressional districts.
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South Dakota closes fiscal 2026 with $69 million surplus, governor says
South Dakota finished fiscal year 2026 with a $69 million surplus, Gov. Larry Rhoden announced July 13. The balance increased state reserve funds to approximately $325 million.
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Andy Biggs wins Republican nomination for Arizona governor
Former U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs won Arizona’s Republican nomination for governor in the July 21 primary and is set to face Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in the Nov. 3 general election.
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East Honolulu voters included in Honolulu’s August 8 mail primary
East Honolulu voters are included in Hawaii’s Aug. 8, 2026, mail primary, which includes four nonpartisan City and County of Honolulu Council contests.
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New Orleans mayor seeks joint state review of city finances amid cash-flow challenges
Mayor Helena Moreno asked Gov. Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office to review New Orleans’ finances with city officials after the city withdrew a request to pursue temporary private borrowing for city services.
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Billings City Council scheduled July 27 votes on Billings 2045 and two neighborhood plans
Billings City Council’s July 27 regular-business agenda included scheduled adoption actions for amendments and updates to Billings 2045, plus the West Billings and Heights neighborhood plans.
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Tulsa voters to decide Aug. 25 on 20-year Oklahoma Natural Gas franchise
Tulsa voters are scheduled to consider a proposed 20-year Oklahoma Natural Gas franchise on Aug. 25, including a 4% franchise rate on gross receipts.
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South Burlington voters face Aug. 11 bond vote on city infrastructure project
South Burlington has scheduled an Aug. 11, 2026, bond vote and is directing voters to a facility tour and public forum ahead of the decision.
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Delaware governor signs bipartisan freshwater wetlands protection law
Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 9 on July 21, creating Delaware’s first comprehensive state freshwater wetlands protection program and a more predictable permitting process for applicants.
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Missouri voters face Aug. 4 primary and statewide income-tax ballot question
Missouri’s Aug. 4 primary will include party nomination contests and an income-tax proposal that a court allowed to remain on the ballot. The state’s congressional map also remains in effect following a Missouri Supreme Court ruling, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
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Nebraska’s 2026 candidate withdrawal and filing deadlines arrive Aug. 3
Nebraska candidates covered by specified general-election filing deadlines have until 5 p.m. Aug. 3 to withdraw, while primary and convention nominees may decline nominations by the same deadline.