RENO, Nev. - Nevada's Washoe County, which includes Reno, has reversed a proposed budget cutback that would have reduced the early-voting schedule for the upcoming primary election, according to the ACLU of Nevada. Vanessa Spinazola, legislative and advocacy director at the Nevada ACLU, said Washoe County Commissioners listened to public opposition to a proposal that would have eliminated two Sundays during the early-voting period, May 24 through June 6.

"So it actually would have cut off the last day of early voting, which was problematic, particularly because we actually have a pretty big election in Reno this year," she said. "We have the mayor and also city council positions coming up. So, the primary's actually pretty large."

Spinazola said some people, because of their schedules, can only vote on Sundays during early voting. She added that several organizations, including Progress Now Nevada and the Nevada Women's Lobby, joined the ACLU in the effort that led to the county reversing the proposed cutback, which would have saved up to $20,000.

Looking at the bigger picture, Spinazola said there was broad concern that reducing the early-voting schedule could start a trend.

"And we also feared that it would set an example for other counties that, 'You know, hey, when you're having budget crises, it's OK to just cut these days,'" she said.

The primary election is June 10. On the state level, it includes gubernatorial and legislative races. There are also mayoral and city council races in Reno and Sparks, as well as Washoe County Commission seats on the ballot.




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A package of legislation in Olympia aims to reduce growing wealth inequality by reforming Washington's tax code.

With the nation's second-most regressive tax system, the state relies heavily on sales and property taxes, which do not take income into account. Critics said the system overburdens low- and middle-income families while benefiting the wealthy and corporations, and adding to the state's revenue shortfall.

Elana Mainer, executive director of the advocacy group Rural People's Voice, noted low-income families pay 14% of their income in taxes, while the wealthiest pay just 4%.

"You don't have to convince anybody in rural Washington that somebody has a foot on their neck," Mainer emphasized. "We know things are unfair. We know that people at the very top have got to start paying their fair share."

Critics of making Washington's tax codes more progressive said the state has enough money, it just needs to spend it more efficiently. Corporations in Washington avoid payroll taxes for social programs on salaries above $170,000. One piece of legislation would close the loophole, which supporters said could generate about $4 billion for Washington's social programs like Paid Family and Medical Leave.

Mainer stressed the changes are about leveling the playing field. She pointed to the Affordable Home Act, which would lower the tax rate for most Washingtonians when they sell their homes, while raising rates for homes sold for more than $3 million.

"That's getting people who sell multimillion dollar homes to contribute a more reasonable amount of taxes compared to most people that live around me who are selling mobile homes or manufactured homes," Mainer outlined.

Data show in the last 20 years, the amount of money families need to get by has increased faster than Washington's median earnings: up to 2.5 times in Clark and King counties.

Mainer noted she speaks to a lot of people who are stressed about the cost of housing, groceries, and health care. She argued people in Washington deserve better.

"The only way that working class people are going to get there is if our legislators step up and make sure that there's a fair playing field in our tax code and our policies," Mainer contended.A package of legislation in Olympia aims to reduce growing wealth inequality by reforming Washington's tax code.

With the nation's second-most regressive tax system, the state relies heavily on sales and property taxes, which do not take income into account. Critics said the system overburdens low- and middle-income families while benefiting the wealthy and corporations, and adding to the state's revenue shortfall.

Elana Mainer, executive director of the advocacy group Rural People's Voice, noted low-income families pay 14% of their income in taxes, while the wealthiest pay just 4%.

"You don't have to convince anybody in rural Washington that somebody has a foot on their neck," Mainer emphasized. "We know things are unfair. We know that people at the very top have got to start paying their fair share."

Critics of making Washington's tax codes more progressive said the state has enough money, it just needs to spend it more efficiently. Corporations in Washington avoid payroll taxes for social programs on salaries above $170,000. One piece of legislation would close the loophole, which supporters said could generate about $4 billion for Washington's social programs like Paid Family and Medical Leave.

Mainer stressed the changes are about leveling the playing field. She pointed to the Affordable Home Act, which would lower the tax rate for most Washingtonians when they sell their homes, while raising rates for homes sold for more than $3 million.

"That's getting people who sell multimillion dollar homes to contribute a more reasonable amount of taxes compared to most people that live around me who are selling mobile homes or manufactured homes," Mainer outlined.

Data show in the last 20 years, the amount of money families need to get by has increased faster than Washington's median earnings: up to 2.5 times in Clark and King counties.

Mainer noted she speaks to a lot of people who are stressed about the cost of housing, groceries, and health care. She argued people in Washington deserve better.

"The only way that working class people are going to get there is if our legislators step up and make sure that there's a fair playing field in our tax code and our policies," Mainer contended.


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As new federal policies and proposed funding cuts spark confusion and chaos, Wisconsinites are looking to voice their concerns to their elected officials, and some are being met with resistance.

In Congress, $2 trillion in spending cuts for programs that serve low-income families, seniors, kids and people with disabilities are being proposed. Every Republican lawmaker from Wisconsin in the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the budget resolution. Though it is not final, more than a million Wisconsinites could be affected.

Meghan Roh, program director for the advocacy group Opportunity Wisconsin, said people are having a tough time trying to share their views when members of Congress will not schedule meetings.

"The campaign arm of the House Republicans are encouraging members to not hold these meetings, which I think tells you just how much energy there is around these issues," Roh observed.

Last week, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., abruptly canceled a scheduled event because too many constituents were planning to join.

Roh said Opportunity Wisconsin has launched a website where people can petition their members of Congress to hold town hall meetings.

The move to shave $880 billion from health and energy programs is a part of President Donald Trump's governmentwide agenda to curb what he calls waste and abuse, and deliver on promised tax cuts.

Nearly 300,000 Wisconsinites are covered by Medicaid and CHIP, and about 71,000 receive SNAP benefits in the districts of Orden and Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis.

Roh emphasized people are anxious to have a say.

"Those are real numbers about real Wisconsin families that rely on these programs in order to make ends meet," Roh noted. "If House Republicans and those in the Senate go along with this plan, that can mean some very devastating impacts for Wisconsin workers and families."

It could be a monthslong process to implement the budget resolution. The Senate passed its own budget last week, which is much different than in the House. The two chambers will negotiate a final version, which would then go to the White House for approval.

Faith leaders across Alabama are raising concerns about what they see as an overreach of executive power, urging the state's congressional delegation to assert its constitutional role as a check on the White House.

In a letter this week, they argue that Congress isn't doing enough to hold the Trump administration accountable for decisions they believe could weaken ethical governance, reduce public services and expose private citizens' data.

Daniel Schwartz, executive director of Faith in Action Alabama, said faith communities have long played a role in holding those in power accountable.

"We are urging the Congress - Republicans and Democrats - to honor that constitutional reality," he said, "which really requires them to be a check and balance to the executive branch."

Schwartz said the letter, signed by more than 200 leaders of faith communities, was sent to the Alabama delegation. He said it voices their concerns about the Trump administration making major changes without congressional approval - and stresses the importance of ensuring the executive branch operates legally and ethically.

Schwartz said one of their biggest concerns is the role of Elon Musk, overseeing government efficiency efforts - that giving Musk's team access to sensitive data without congressional oversight could pose privacy and security risks. There also are concerns about the mass layoffs at federal agencies, which Schwartz said could impact environmental protections and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.

"We are very concerned that Americans' privacy is being violated," he explained. "We are concerned that entire departments may be eliminated. What we're hearing in terms of the EPA right now, over 50% of their employees may be laid off, and that puts us at great risk."

Schwartz said the group is also concerned about policies affecting undocumented people, as well as deep cuts proposed for Medicaid, which serves more than one in four Alabama residents.