Stay ConnectedHelping you keep up with what matters in Arizona’s political news. Each week we interview politicians, public figures or journalists to break down one local issue and how it affects your life in Arizona.
Coming to you every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle is hosted by The Arizona Republic’s national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and is produced by Amanda Luberto.
Sen. Jeff Flake, under intense pressure to oppose the Senate Republican health-care bill, said he actually supports the more conservative "Consumer Freedom Option" proposed by Sen. Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, a group opposed to a major private school voucher expansion bill signed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says it is on track to collect enough signatures to place the law on hold. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Jojo Huckeba @Jojo_Huck.
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Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan said she is rejecting the Trump administration's request for extensive voter information. Arizona’s Republican members of Congress have rarely voted against Trump in the first six months of the year. The director of Arizona's child-welfare system asked families to "expand their horizons" and "do more," leaving some foster parents perplexed and enraged. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Jojo Huckeba @Jojo_Huck.
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A database built by The Arizona Republic shows that 22 percent of 46,000 public school teachers in Arizona during the 2016-17 term were either not qualified to teach or had less than two years of classroom experience. Education reporter Ricardo Cano discusses his findings with The Republic's political team. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite,
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A secret tape predicts trouble for Republican lawmakers, cash from indicted figures divides state officials, and a new survey says children in Arizona rank near the bottom in well-being, nationally. Meanwhile, Gov. Doug Ducey makes moves to protect Arizona's relationship with its top trading partner, Mexico. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS.
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State Sen. Steve Farley is jumping into the race for governor, hoping to unseat Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. A service at the Arizona Secretary of State's Office intended to make it easier for local candidates to get their names on the ballot has missed its intended launch date — and shut off access for legislative and statewide hopefuls. As for Washington, D.C., Ducey will be at the White House this week to meet with President Trump to talk infrastructure spending. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS.
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A corruption case snares lobbyist Jim Norton, who is at the center of Arizona power politics. Two Arizona Republican lawmakers hire private attorneys (using taxpayers' money along the way.) U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake wants a new authorization of the use of military force, or AUMF. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, and governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS.
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The Arizona Attorney General’s Office's investigates Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski. Sen. John McCain blasts President Donald Trump – again. Gov. Doug Ducey signs a final 27 bills into law and vetoes six, including industrial hemp production. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, Phoenix City Hall reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS.
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Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen, Governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, national political reporter Dan Nowicki and politics editor Michael Squires look back at the legislative session and all it did – and didn’t – accomplish, as well as the Arizona’s delegation’s headaches from having to deal with the Trump administration. Find more coverage at politics.azcentral.com. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite.
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As the end of the legislative session approaches, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen, Governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and politics editor Michael Squires talk about the finalized Arizona state budget, as well as the strangest bills and highlights from this legislative session. Find more coverage at politics.azcentral.com. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite.
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Phoenix City Hall reporter Dustin Gardiner, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen, Governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and politics editor Michael Squires talk about the Arizona state budget, raises for teachers, welfare, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's possible run for a higher office, and more. Find more coverage at politics.azcentral.com. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite.
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