Arizona lawmakers had little in the way of guidance for how to deal with sexual harassment until a state representative shared her own experience of being harassed by her fellow legislators at the Capitol.

Arizona Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, said she’s been sexually harassed at the state Capitol since her first year in office.

The Arizona House late Thursday night approved a package of measures that would make it harder for citizens to propose their own laws via the initiative process, and make it easier for lawmakers to repeal or change those voter-approved laws.

Before she voted on a bill requiring elementary school students in Arizona to receive at least 50 minutes of recess per day, Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita faced intense pressure from a team of lobbyists hounding her day and night.

The most interesting exchange occurred between Rep. Jay Lawrence, R-Scottsdale, and his seatmate, Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale.

Attempting to preempt a committee hearing on a package of legislation aimed at overhauling the people’s ability to enact laws, critics took to the Senate lawn to blast the “coordinated attack” launched by Republican lawmakers and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the Voter Protection Act and the initiative process.

Those who know Helen Purcell acknowledge she grossly miscalculated the March 22 turnout. But they say the hostility toward her and calls for her resignation are uncalled for after almost 30 years of solidly running elections.