By JOHN HANNA Associated Press

TOPEKA – Leaders in Kansas’ capital city have repealed a local law against domestic violence under a controversial plan sparked by budget concerns.

Topeka’s city council and mayor approved the repeal late Tuesday, saying such cases are better handled by county or state courts.

The vote comes less than a month after the prosecutor in Shawnee County decided to stop pursuing domestic battery cases and other misdemeanors, citing deep cuts to his budget.

Topeka, the largest city in the county, responded by proposing to repeal its domestic violence ordinance so it wouldn’t be forced to pick up the bill for those cases.

Advocates for domestic abuse victims were outraged, saying the plans amounted to austerity run amok. But the city’s interim manager says Topeka is now in a better position to negotiate