Rep. Trent Franks steps down from Congress amid sex harassment allegations, the Goldwater Institute controls Empowerment Scholarship Accounts and Arizona leaders want to increase sales tax to increase school funding. Hayley Sanchez/azcentral.com
The Republic's politics team talks Jeff Flake's controversial endorsement check, the state's child welfare agency and how the Republican tax plan will impact Arizonans. Carly Henry/azcentral
The Republic's politics teams talks Rep. Grijalva's settlement after an employee accused him of working drunk, the race for State Treasurer and Mesa Mayor John Giles' comment to Jeff Flake insulting Trump on Nov. 29, 2017. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's politics team talks on Nov. 22, 2017, about the "awkward" Senate race and an unusual decision made by the Arizona Court of Appeals to restore parental rights to a mother who had her rights previously stripped. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's politics team talks about the Don Shooter sexual-harassment scandal, how Foster Care Review Boards do not reflect their communities, and how Rep. Tom O'Halleran's office isn't in his district. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's political team discusses Rep. Martha McSally entering the 2018 Senate race and more sexual harassment allegations in Arizona's Legislature on Nov. 8, 2017. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's politics team talks Bisbees's plastic bag ban, KidsCare funds drying up and Martha McSally and Paul Gosar entering Arizona's Senate race on Nov. 1, 2017. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's political team discusses Sen. Jeff Flake not running for re-election amidst a changing Republican Party and the allegations of sexual harassment in Arizona's Legislature. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's political team discusses Governor Doug Ducey giving raises to the members of his inner circle instead of prioritizing teacher raises as promised. Steve Bannon visits Arizona and Paul Gosar's family feud. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's politics team discusses the most recent developments in the race for City Hall, Congressman Paul Gosar's view of the Charlottesville white supremacists rally and the upset after the release of school letter grades on Oct. 11, 2017.
The Republic's political team on Oct. 4, 2017, discusses the class-action lawsuit against the Department of Child Safety, the development of the U.S. Senate race in Arizona and Vice President Mike Pence's visit. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's political team talks about President DonalTrump blaming Sen. John McCain for another failed attempt to repeal "Obamacare" and Homeland Security makes an official statement on a hack of voter-registration data. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's political team discusses the cost of President Trump's rally to the city of Phoenix, the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex couple's rights and Gov. Doug Ducey trying to repeal 'Obamacare.' Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's political team discusses Mark Brnovich suing Arizona Regents over high tuition costs, Trump cutting a deal with Democrats and the Constitutional Planning Convention on Sept. 13, 2017. Carly Henry and Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's political team on Sep. 6, 2017, discusses Arizona's school-voucher program potentially reaching the ballot, the future of DACA and the recent House vote on Hurricane Harvey relief. Johanna Huckeba and Carly Henry/azcentral
The Republic's political team on Aug. 30, 2017, talk about Arpaio's pardon, the future of DACA and Jeff Flake's re-election campaign. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral
The Republic's political team on Aug. 23, 2017, talks President Trump's visit to Arizona and if the school voucher referendum will make the ballot. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's political team talks on Aug. 15, 2017, about Rep. Kyrsten Sinema's likely Senate run, the drop in investigations into reports of child neglect, and Trump's scheduled visit to Phoenix. Sean Logan/azcentral.com
Sen. Jeff Flake's new book defends Reagan-style conservatism and critiques the Republican Party. Gov. Doug Ducey plays a role in Sen. John McCain's health-care vote. U.S. Rep. Martha McSally helps craft a bipartisan plan for the insurance system. Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic
The Republic's political team on July 26, 2017, talks about Sen. John McCain's dramatic health-bill appearance, the ALEC conference and the saga of Mesa Councilman Ryan Winkle. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
In the July 19 episode, the Republic's politics team talks about Sen. McCain's health scare and the health care bill that wasn't, Rep. Martha McSally's big spending, and what's to become of the school voucher petition. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
In this week's episode, reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Dan Nowicki and Rob Hansen discuss the health-care bill, and how it might affect Arizonans, along with the state's school-voucher program. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's political team discusses Arizona's congress support of President Trump's agenda, the disconnect between foster families and the Department of Child Safety and a recent request for voter information. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
Our weekly politics podcast gives you inside-the-newsroom conversation you can’t get anywhere else. This week, a special edition examines the politics of education in Arizona, and our exclusive report on the state's teacher shortage.
The Republic's political team on June 13, 2017, talks about a secret recording, a comparative decline in the quality of Arizona kids’ lives and Governor Ducey’s stance on trade with Mexico. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com
The Republic's political team on April 25, 2017, talks state Sen. Steve Farley jumping into the governor's race, Arizona's hopes for infrastructure funding and the state of the state under acting governor Diane Douglas. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
The Arizona Republic's politics team discusses on May 30, 2017, the scandal involving a former corporation commissioner, whether or not to renew an AUMF and much ado about county recorders. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
The Arizona Republic's politics team discusses the ongoing McCain/Trump feud, Gov. Ducey's veto pen on recent legislation and drama in Phoenix City Hall.
The Arizona Republic's politics team talks about unfinished business, potholes and an avalanche of unwanted shoes. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
The Arizona Republic's politics team looks back wistfully, maybe even sentimentally, "on the session that was," and looks forward hopefully to sine die. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
The Arizona Republic's politics team discusses teachers' "boat parade," a protest for pay raises; the upcoming state budget; and what's up with Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.
The Republic's political team on April 25, 2017, talks about the latest political news affecting Arizona, including the protests surrounding the future of school vouchers and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema's donation controversy.
The Republic's political team on April 18, 2017, talks about the latest political news affecting Arizona, including 2018 candidates, Sen. Jeff Flake's town hall and how a bill to require child-welfare officials to get warrants fell apart.
The Republic's political team on April 11, 2017, talks about "zombie" health care reform in Congress, and the expansion of the school voucher program headed by Gov. Doug Ducey.
The Republic's political team on April 4, 2017, talks about the state of the filibuster and the latest on Secretary of State Michele Reagan's "Show Me the Money" campaign.
The Republic's political team on March 28, 2017, talks about funding for teacher raises in the state budget, what comes next after the non-vote on the 'Obamacare' repeal bill in Congress and proposed restrictions on citizen initiatives in Arizona.
The Republic's political team on March 21, 2017, talks about the possible impact on the president's blueprint for a budget, and the lack of female representation in Arizona's legislative leadership.
The Republic's political team on March 14, 2017, talks about how much of Arizona's delegation has been quiet about the "Obamacare" replacement, but even Republicans don't seem to like it.
The Republic's political team on March 8, 2017, talks about the latest political news affecting Arizona, including a failed tax-cut bill, a congressman's tweets and how a former state senator isn't working at the White House after all.
The Republic's political team on March 1, 2017, talks about the latest political news affecting Arizona, including the state of Senate Bill 1142 and the rowdy crowds at U.S. Rep. Martha McSally's Town Hall.
The Republic's political team on Feb. 21, 2017, talks about recent political news, including Trump's Arizona announcement about Intel, McCain and Obamacare, and House Bill 2404 targeting voter initiatives.
The Republic's political team on Feb. 6, 2017, talks about the latest political news affecting Arizona, including how much debt is too much for the state and which lawmaker wants to be shot.
The Gaggle: Trent Franks, ESA's, school funding increases
The Gaggle: DCS disbands review panels, tax plan
The Gaggle: Rep. Grijalva's settlement, Mesa's mayor faces backlash
The Gaggle: AZ's memorable delegation, voter registration numbers
The Gaggle: Shooter's harassment scandal, foster-care boards
The Gaggle: Sex harassment in AZ's Legislature
The Gaggle: Senate race, Bisbee bag ban, KidsCare
The Gaggle: Flake out; Legislature harassment
The Gaggle: Ducey shows us the money, Bannon's visit, Gosar's family feud
The Gaggle: Arizona elections, school letter grades, Paul Gosar on Charlottesville
The Gaggle: DCS lawsuit, Senate race
The Gaggle: Russia hack, another ACA repeal
The Gaggle: Trump rally costs, gay couple's rights
The Gaggle: Mark Brnovich sues Arizona Regents, Constitutional Planning Convention
The Gaggle: State school vouchers, DACA and Hurricane Harvey relief
The Gaggle: Arpaio pardon, future of DACA and Flake's re-election campaign
The Gaggle: Trump's visit, school voucher referendum update
The Gaggle: Trump's Phoenix rally, Arpaio pardon and Sinema's run
The Gaggle: Flake's new book, health care and bipartiship
The Gaggle: McCain's return to the Senate and more
The Gaggle: School voucher petition, health care and McSally
The Gaggle: Health bill, school-voucher program
The Gaggle: Foster families, Trump's agenda and voter information
The Gaggle: Arizona's Teacher Shortage
The Gaggle: A Secret Recording, Mexico Trade and Kids' Health
The Gaggle: The governor's race and infrastructure funding
The Gaggle: Corporation Commission scandal and renewing an AUMF
The Gaggle: McCain Trump feud, Ducey's veto pen and Phoenix city hall
The Gaggle: Unfinished business and hallway laments
The Gaggle: Legislative session recap, May 2017
The Gaggle: Teachers protesting, a budget afoot and what's up with Stanton?
The Gaggle: Voucher vote, Arizona university funding
The Gaggle: DCS warrants and Flake gets scorched
The Gaggle: Health care in Congress and school voucher expansion
The Gaggle: Is the filibuster busted and will Michele Reagan show us the money?
The Gaggle: Teacher raises, ACA repeal and ballot initiatives
The Gaggle: Federal budget and few women in the Legislature
The Gaggle: Obamacare replacement, George W. in town and TANF benefits
The Gaggle: Tax that did not get cut, tweets from Gosar and a non-job
The Gaggle: SB 1142 is dead and town halls get rowdy
The Gaggle: Bigfooted, McCain and HB 2404
The Gaggle: How much debt is too much?
The Arizona Senate updated its sexual-harassment policy this week, but the new rules drew criticism from some Democrats concerned it excludes protections for transgender people.
While the policy prohibits harassment based on sex or sexual orientation — among other protected groups — it makes no mention of gender identity.
The reworked policy comes after an avalanche of sexual-harassment accusations have jolted the state Capitol in recent months.
Under the Senate's new rules, all lawmakers and staff must undergo harassment training and sign a form stating they will comply with the policy. It also outlines how accusations will be investigated and possible penalties, including a written reprimand or expulsion for lawmakers.
Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs, D-Phoenix, said while the policy is a good step, members of her caucus are disappointed it didn't go further.
Hobbs said they insisted that the rules — which apply to lawmakers and their staffers — include protections for transgender people, but Republican leadership "refused" to do so, she said.
"Many Arizonans identify as a gender different than their sex assigned at birth and they should have the same right as their peers to enjoy a work environment that is free from harassment," Hobbs said in a press statement. "There should not be a reason for anyone to feel unwelcome at the Senate."
Wendy Baldo, chief of staff for the Senate Republican majority caucus, said critics of the policy are misinterpreting it if they think it doesn't ban discrimination based on gender identity.
Baldo said the Senate has a "zero-tolerance" policy for all forms of harassment.
So, then why wouldn't GOP leaders include gender identity in the policy after Democrats specifically requested it?
Baldo said it wasn't a decision to be exclusionary — they just didn't list all possible forms of harassment.
“There are just a number of issues that are not specifically listed out," she said.
Hobbs said she met with Senate President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, about the issue and he assured her "nobody would be left out" of the policy even if a group isn't specifically listed.
Still, Hobbs said that isn't good enough, adding, “I don’t know that the next (Senate) president would have the same intent."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Capitol complex, the House of Representatives' harassment policy recently prompted similar concerns from members of the Legislature's LGBT Caucus.
The House's rules don't include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender officials and employees. Speaker J.D. Mesnard said that's because he didn't want to distract from the chamber's discussion about sexual harassment by including LGBT with the other legally protected classes.
Both chambers have revisited their policies and mandated harassment training for lawmakers after a flurry of accusations, most of which involve Rep. Don Shooter, R-Yuma.
READ MORE:
Taxpayers to pay $300-an-hour legal costs for lawmakers in sex-misconduct inquiries
Inappropriate-relationship complaint dismissed against Rep. Rebecca Rios
2 female legislators under fire over relationships
Several women accuse Arizona state Rep. Don Shooter of sexual harassment
No LGBT protections in Arizona Legislature's new harassment rules
Arizona House members adopt first written sexual-harassment policy
Republic publisher: Lawmaker made sexual remark
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