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Delay tactics give false impression of Gowan, House travel expenses
Former House Speaker David Gowan deliberately put off the release of public records last year to buy time to disguise questionable spending by his staff, himself, and fellow lawmakers.
House tightens travel policy, discourages use of state vehicles
Arizona state representatives are now barred in most instances from using the state vehicle fleet, and must physically sign paperwork to be reimbursed for miles traveled on legislative business, according to a new policy announced today by House Speaker J.D. Mesnard.
Capitol Times reporter wins Sledgehammer Award for efforts to ‘expose truth’
Arizona Capitol Times House reporter Hank Stephenson has won the Arizona Press Club’s prestigious 2016 Sledgehammer Award.
Politically loyal staffers get sharp pay increases under former House speaker
The records show that between Gowan’s ascension to speaker in January 2015 and his departure from office in November 2016, the former speaker increased the cost of payroll for top House departments by 25 percent, and gave five-figure raises to several of his most loyal political employees.
Construction of House security system runs 52% over budget
Construction of the new security system in the Arizona House of Representatives, which includes metal detectors, gun lockers and a Kevlar wall, cost taxpayers significantly more than expected.
Miles and spending still riding high even as House road trips decrease
Travel-related expenses by the Arizona House decreased sharply in 2016, after the Arizona Capitol Times exposed then-House Speaker David Gowan and some of his close allies for leading an unprecedented increase in the chamber’s travel budget the previous year.
House to repeal and replace Gowan’s travel policy
After former House Speaker David Gowan got caught using state fleet vehicles for his own personal and campaign purposes, he changed the House rules to encourage all lawmakers to use state fleet vehicles for their travels.
Outgoing House Speaker Gowan creates 2018 Senate committee
Outgoing Arizona House Speaker David Gowan has created a political committee to seek a state Senate seat in 2018.
House, Senate to undergo security renovations in response to global attacks
As his parting gift to the “People’s House” Arizona House Speaker David Gowan is installing metal detectors, gun lockers and is overhauling the House lobby, to the tune of at least $290,000.
After 7 months, House fails to release state-funded travel documents
Seven months after the Arizona Capitol Times requested documents related to a spike in state-funded travel authorized by House Speaker David Gowan, the Arizona House of Representatives has yet to release any documents that would shed light on which legislators and employees were taking trips and for what purpose.
Gowan drops out of CD1
House Speaker David Gowan is dropping out of Republican primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, his longtime advisor, Constantin Querard, confirmed today.
David, meet your Facebook friends
Several politicos directed our reporter to Gowan’s campaign Facebook, where the speaker recently promoted the launching of his new campaign website. The post is innocuous enough, noting that readers can “click here to learn more about the campaign and get involved.” But the reaction to the post has been stunningly bad.
