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Maybe he drove around the Loop 101 38 times
A handful of House lawmakers and staff kept on trucking in state vehicles through the end of the year, according to records from the Dept of Administration. As the Capitol Times reported earlier this month, a small number of lawmakers and staffers had driven more than 25,000 miles in state vehicles, some of which were for reasons that violate state rules and laws governing fleet vehicle use.
Q&A with Speaker of the House David Gowan
When House Speaker David Gowan first came to the Legislature in 2009, the state budget was more than $3 billion in the hole. Seven years later, as Gowan prepares to enter his final year at the Capitol, the budget is nearly balanced and the state has a surplus and money in the rainy day fund.
The joys and perils of a government-sponsored road trip
In a 3,600-word article, the Capitol Times this morning reported on the unusually high use by House staffers and legislators of state cars, which they have rented at the House’s expense. Strict rules govern the use of state fleet vehicles, which state employees and officials can rent for official purposes.
House lawmakers, staff log tens of thousands of miles in government cars on Arizona trips
Use of state vehicles has skyrocketed recently in the House of Representatives, where a handful of lawmakers and top staffers have driven tens of thousands of miles in the last few months, at no personal cost.
Gowan raises eyebrows with promotions, construction, pay hikes
During his first year as speaker of the House, Republican David Gowan of Sierra Vista came under fire from members of his caucus, not for his legislative policies or plans for the state, but for his loose spending with the House budget.
United front leads to budget compromise and short session
When Gov. Doug Ducey unveiled his first state budget proposal to the public in January, House Speaker David Gowan, Senate President Andy Biggs and their chambers’ budget committee chairmen stood at the new governor’s flanks, nodding and smiling for the cameras.
Power vacuum: Candidates from around Arizona vie to replace Ann Kirkpatrick in CD1
The power vacuum U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick will leave behind as she runs for the U.S. Senate is drawing many familiar faces into the contest for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District – including well-known politicians who live outside the district’s boundaries.
Biggs calls for First Things First audit after agency opposes sweep
Just one day after the First Things First board formally opposed legislative leadership’s plan to sweep some of its funding for K-12 education, Senate President Andy Biggs called for an audit of the early childhood development and health program.
Gowan and Babeu join 1st Congressional District race
The GOP primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is officially a crowd. Speaker of the Arizona House David Gowan and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu both entered the race today, ending months of exploring by the two and bringing the number of Republicans vying for the nomination to five.
Legislative leaders have a plan to get rid of school inflation funding
Republican legislative leaders want to repeal a voter-approved law requiring that lawmakers annually adjust K-12 education funding to account for inflation, arguing that keeping up with the inflation increases year after year is unsustainable.
Douglas proposes $400 million for schools from state surplus, rainy day fund
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas offered a plan today to pump $400 million a year into schools for teacher pay.
Despite pleas and promises, state can’t deliver on school funding settlement
Before leaving office, former Gov. Jan Brewer urged Arizona lawmakers to settle a nearly $2 billion dispute over inflation funding for K-12 education. Gov. Doug Ducey, in his State of the State address in January, pleaded with lawmakers to settle the case as well.
