Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
Overall House spending rises 29% under Gowan’s leadership
In the first four months under House Speaker David Gowan’s leadership, the cost of running the chamber has increased 29 percent year-over-year, according to a budget summary provided by the chamber.
House construction estimate up to $2 million, but Gowan scales back
The proposed renovations to the Arizona House of Representatives building were estimated at more than $2 million – double what sources had originally said the project would cost, documents released by the Arizona Department of administration show.
Batting averages: Senate president chalks up highest percentage of bills signed into law
It’s good to be president. Senate President Andy Biggs of Gilbert was the most successful lawmaker of the year – at least in terms of his legislative batting average.
With 2015 session title, Sen. Ableser again tops list for most missed votes
Democratic Sen. Ed Ableser of Tempe retook his crown for missing the most votes of any lawmaker this year, after losing the title last year to former Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo. Ableser voted on only 73 percent of the bills that came before the Senate this year.
2015 Session Wrap Q&A: House Speaker David Gowan
After only a few months on the job, Arizona House Speaker David Gowan is still getting his footing. Gowan, a Republican from Sierra Vista, sat down with the Arizona Capitol Times to discuss the trials, tribulations and successes of his first year leading the House.
2015 Session Wrap Q&A: House Minority Leader Eric Meyer
Now in his final term as a representative, House Democratic Leader Eric Meyer discussed his first session leading House Democrats. The Paradise Valley Democrat also looked back on how things have changed for Democrats in his time at the Capitol, and looked ahead to the future of his caucus, as well as his own plans for the future.
Gowan pursues House renovations despite GOP revolt
Reaction was quick and decisive when House Republicans learned of Speaker David Gowan’s plans for a second large-scale renovation of the chamber in the past six months.
Rep. Thorpe’s sovereignty bills get national attention, but die in Arizona
Republican Rep. Bob Thorpe of Flagstaff is the new poster child for the Republican insurrection against President Obama, at least according to a pair of recent editorials in national newspapers.
House Republicans want oversight of speaker’s ‘excessive spending’
House Speaker David Gowan’s Republican colleagues don’t trust him with the power of the House purse. Gowan told the Arizona Capitol Times that the House has plans in place for a large-scale construction project. The project, which Gowan said is still in the planning phase, will include installing showers and building a new “multi-purpose” room, a massive overhaul of the House basement and [...]
House to undergo second round of major renovations in past six months
Just months after the Arizona House of Representatives received a $375,000 facelift, House Speaker David Gowan is planning another massive renovation of the chamber.
A year of delays in the House rankle representatives and force the Senate’s hand
Early in the morning of April 3, Senate President Andy Biggs decided he and the state Senate had waited long enough. He unilaterally pulled the plug on the legislative session.
On second thought: playing the reconsideration game
Democrats were smitten when the House voted down Democratic Sen. Carlyle Begay’s bill to expand Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to all students on Native American reservations.