BUDGET DEFICIT

May 06 2026POLITICS

City Council Sets Up Unarmed Crisis Team to Help Those in Need

The Ypsilanti City Council has moved forward with a new plan to create a team that will handle emergencies involving mental health, substance use, and homelessness without the use of firearms. The decision follows criticism over how the city managed a recent incident where police surrounded a man in

reading time less than a minute
Apr 25 2026FINANCE

Canada’s Budget Deficit Grows to $25. 5 Billion in Early 2026

Canada’s government now reports a larger shortfall for the first eleven months of the 2025/26 fiscal year, with expenses outpacing income by C$25. 55 billion – an increase from the C$19. 27 billion recorded in the same span last year. The rise comes mainly from a 2. 1 percent jump in program spen

reading time less than a minute
Apr 24 2026FINANCE

Santa Rosa's Budget Struggle: Why Cutting Services May Not Be the Only Answer

Santa Rosa's financial problems didn't appear overnight. Over the past three years, the city has watched its sales tax income shrink steadily, a trend that mirrors broader changes in how people shop. More purchases happen online now, and spending has shifted from goods to services, leaving local sto

reading time less than a minute
Apr 15 2026OPINION

Alaska’s Budget Puzzle: Why Money and Politics Don’t Match

A senator who began her career in the state legislature two decades ago remembers how Alaska’s budget keeps swinging between deficits and surpluses. The state relies on big chunks of federal money or high oil prices to pay for schools, roads and other services. When those sources shrink, the budget

reading time less than a minute
Mar 27 2026EDUCATION

Anchorage Schools: The Cost of Too Many Buildings

The Anchorage School Board talks about a $90 million shortfall, but the real problem is that the district has more schools than it needs. Last year, a $50 million reserve was used to keep the budget balanced, and now the district is at the minimum legal balance. If the board had kept a healthy cushi

reading time less than a minute
Mar 21 2026FINANCE

City’s Budget Surprises Council with Smaller Deficit

The city ended 2025 with a deficit far below the $9. 6 million that had been forecast, according to the interim finance director who stepped into the role two weeks ago. He told council that the shortfall will be about $3 million, a relief driven by higher revenues in key areas. Earned income and re

reading time less than a minute
Feb 26 2026POLITICS

Finland Faces Bigger Budget Gap and Calls for Tight Spending

Finland’s Finance Ministry has released a new spending plan that projects the country’s central government deficit to average €14. 9 billion each year from 2027 to 2030. The forecast shows a clear rise compared with the previous year, driven by lower tax receipts and reduced earnings from its emissi

reading time less than a minute
Feb 12 2026OPINION

City Pay Hikes and the Rising Tax Burden

San Diego residents already shoulder extra costs from city‑imposed fees, yet officials claim that further charges are unavoidable because of a “decades‑old structural budget deficit. ” The reality is that the deficit grows from choices made by those in power, not from unseen forces. City leaders

reading time less than a minute
Feb 12 2026POLITICS

New York Mayor Proposes Tax Boost for the Rich

New York City's Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has put forward a plan to raise taxes on the wealthy. He wants to add a 2% tax on those earning over a million dollars each year. This idea is part of his campaign promises. He also wants to increase the corporate tax rate. During a recent budget hearing, Mamd

reading time less than a minute
Feb 10 2026EDUCATION

Teachers Strike in San Francisco: Schools Shut, Families Struggle

Schools in San Francisco were closed on Monday when teachers walked off the job for the first time since 1979. The strike was sparked by demands for better health care and higher pay. About 50, 000 students were affected because parents had to find new child‑care and meals. Union leaders an

reading time less than a minute