Early voting started July 30 in next month’s Phoenix city elections.

The fact that some cities hold municipal elections in off years was the subject of a lawsuit. After the Arizona Legislature passed a law to consolidate city elections in even-numbered years — the cities won.

But, the relationship between the state and its cities and towns can be a complicated one, and we got two perspectives on it, starting with Ken Strobek, executive director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

State Sen. John Kavanagh is one member of the Legislature who doesn’t think municipalities have much of a leg to stand on. He said the state’s actions are appropriate.