The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

Everyone knows 2024 is an election year but amid the chatter of who will be president of the United States is a wide selection of smaller, important local Arizona elections. Residents in the small town of Litchfield Park will have the opportunity to cast their vote to be an official charter city. It's the first city in the Valley to do so in 40 years and will grant them independence from the state on things like when their elections are held and term limits on elected officials. Tempe voters have the chance to elect who will sit on their city council. They will also vote on a proposition that will impact Tempe's ability to grow. In this episode, producers Amanda Luberto and Kaely Monahan are joined by Republic reporters to discuss not only who is running and what is on the ballot, but why voters should turn out for these hyper-local elections. We’ll also hear about one state senator who is trying to make changes to how cities can run their elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The clock is ticking for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to make a decision on running again for her seat. The collapse of her bipartisan border security bill unceremoniously ended her hopes of adding a deal on perhaps the most difficult issue in congressional politics to her legislative scorecard. Since quitting the Democratic Party in December 2022, Sinema’s fundraising has plummeted and she is about 20 percentage points behind her challengers in most of the polling on the race. Democratic frontrunner, Ruben Gallego, and Republican front runner, Kari Lake, both have outraised Sinema, I-Ariz., of late. Sinema ended 2023 with her worst fundraising quarter in three years — and she spent more than she brought in. All of which begs the question, does Sinema have a path to reelection, and what does that mean for the race if she’s stepping out of politics? In this episode of The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report to look at how the Arizona senate race is stacking up and if there are any hints that Sinema might run for re-election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. has newly-released an $118 billion national security bill. It includes approximately $20 billion for border provisions, including $650 million for the border wall and funding for asylum judges, expanded detention capacity and other programs. In a interview with CBS' Face the Nation, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says that the deal will address a multitude of issues including the record surge of migrants. But Republicans in both the Senate and the House are stirring against the proposal, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying it's "dead on arrival." In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with The Republic's immigration and border reporter, Rafael Carranza to hash out what is in the bill and whether or not it's truly "dead on arrival." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A busy election year is here. It starts with the March 19 presidential preference election, followed by the Aug. 6 primary, and then the Big One: the Nov. 7 presidential election. On that day, voters all over the country will be ponying up to the polls to fill in the bubble of the candidates they want most. This year, the presidency is on the line. But first comes the preference election. This election, also referred to as the primaries, isn't the same date in every state. Republican voters in New Hampshire and Iowa have already decided that former President Donald Trump is their pick to represent their party. Democrats in Iowa vote on March 5. In Arizona, only Democrats and Republicans can vote on Tuesday, March 19 for which candidate they want to put forward into the big fight come November. Independent voters are out of luck for the preference election. But how does all of this work? Who gets a say and why does it matter? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Mary Jo Pitzl and Sasha Hupka kick off a new series called Elections Dissection. Each month this year, they'll be breaking down a new elections process so you understand how voting in Arizona works. In this episode, Mary Jo and Sasha talk with the man who brought preference elections to Arizona, a politician whose career was defined by a botched preference election, and an active county recorder who is working to avoid confusion at the polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The "Gilbert Goons" have made headlines here in Arizona and nationwide. Young men from affluent families have been indiscriminately targeting others for violent beatings. One such attack ended in the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord. Amid the many questions swirling around this case is one of particular relevance to you, our Gaggle listeners. What is the political fallout? Producers Kaely Monahan and Amanda Luberto sat down with the team that broke the story: investigative reporter Robert Anglen and criminal justice reporter Elena Santa Cruz. Both are journalists in our newsroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024 is a pivotal year for Arizona. Not only is it a presidential election year, but the state is entering its second year with a divided government. Gov. Katie Hobbs has lined out her agenda for this year in her recent State of the State. Speaker of the House, Ben Toma R-Glendale, has his own thoughts on how Arizona's 2024 should go. He currently presides over a narrowly divided chamber at the Phoenix capitol, and will help juggle the state's policy agenda. The Republican from Glendale arrived at the Legislature in 2017 and is running for the West Valley congressional seat being vacated by Republican Debbie Lesko, who is retiring from Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Katie Hobbs officially started the new legislative session this week with her second State of the State address. She focused on areas where she's hopeful for bipartisanship: housing, the border and the state's water supply. This year, Republican lawmakers mostly listened in silence. One senator, Anthony Kern, once again turned his back on Hobbs, literally, as he had in 2023. Despite the turbulence and at a time when the state is facing a budget shortfall, this year’s speech had moments suggesting potential bipartisan cooperation. Kern’s protest was the only one of its kind this year, which was also an improvement over last year. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Democratic political strategist Tony Cani and Kirk Adams, former chief of staff to previous Gov. Doug Ducey. Together they break down Hobbs' Jan. 8 State of the State address to explore whether her strategic roadmap to bipartisanship is achievable and her goals for 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the beginning of a big year in Arizona politics. Next week, Gov. Katie Hobbs will give her second "state of the state" address, reviewing her first year in office and her goals for the year ahead. This could set the tone for state politics in 2024. Nationally, Arizona is expected to hold the political spotlight as one of a handful of swing states on the electoral map. President Joe Biden’s narrowest victory in 2020 came in Arizona. Democrats are looking to ride the blue wave and Republicans are looking to win back a state they had carried for years. Arizona's U.S. Senate race could offer a rare three-way contest for the seat held by independent incumbent Kyrsten Sinema. That race already includes Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and Republican headliner Kari Lake. And the state could play a key role in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with two seats currently held by the GOP on Democrats’ radar. Both chambers in the state Legislature are narrowly divided, and Arizona voters likely will weigh a ballot measure to determine whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution. While you're writing down your New Year's resolutions, we're writing down a long to-do list. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by other Republic reporters to give listeners a peek at our list. You'll hear from state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger, investigative reporter Robert Anglen and Maricopa County reporter Sasha Hupka, among others. Together, they discuss what they're keeping an eye on for 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another year in Arizona politics has come and nearly gone. What might be remarkable elsewhere is almost par for the course in the Grand Canyon State. The year started with Arizona's first Democratic governor in more than a decade being sworn in on the ninth floor of the executive tower just before a legislative session with Republican majorities in both houses. Gov. Katie Hobbs went on to veto more bills than any other governor in state history. Election denialism remained a theme. Kari Lake made statements and legal challenges over the year insisting the 2022 election for governor had been corrupted. More than 1,400 text messages between Cyber Ninjas' CEO Doug Logan and others were revealed by Republic reporters using a simple software trick, uncovering more information about the "audit" of Maricopa County ballots in the 2020 presidential election. Free speech battles raged on over college campuses, and a community near Scottsdale lost, then found, access to water. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by other Republic reporters, many of them Gaggle regulars, to break down the year 2023 in politics. You'll hear from state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger, investigative reporter Robert Anglen, Maricopa County reporter Sasha Hupka and national politics reporter Ryan Randazzo. Note: This episode was recorded before the death of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. While O'Connor is not discussed in this episode, The Gaggle has multiple exclusive interviews on her life. Listen wherever you get podcasts or by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ranch girl from Duncan, Arizona who grew up to be the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away on December 1st, 2023. On December 18th, she entered the highest court in the land one last time. Thousands of Americans came to pay their respects. Today we hear from her younger brother, Alan Day, about what it was like growing up with the ranch girl who would be come a Supreme Court justice. National politics reporter and Gaggle host Ron Hansen connected with Alan Day remotely in the spring of 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court was laid to rest this week. As the country said its final farewells to Arizona ranch girl, we here on The Gaggle have been honoring her life and legacy through a series of interviews with those who knew her. Welcome to the third episode of The Gaggle’s mini series on Sandra Day O’Connor. Thus far we have heard from O’Connor’s biographer and a historian. Today we turn to someone who was closer to the justice: Ruth McGregor. A former chief justice Arizona Supreme Court, McGregor shared that she’s known Sandra Day O’Connor since the mid 1970s. First they worked solely as associates in the same field, but a friendship grew that lasted a life time. McGregor sat down in the Gaggle studios in April 2022. Former Gaggle host, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez led the interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the country has said its final goodbyes to the first woman to ever sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. To mark Sandra Day O'Connor's historical life, The Gaggle is sharing in-depth interviews with those that knew her. Yesterday we heard from her biographer, Evan Thomas. Today, we’ll hear from Linda Hirshman, a lawyer, cultural historian, and author of many books – including the 2016 “Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World.” Hirshman sat down in the Gaggle studios in spring 2022 with then Gaggle host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez. For Hirshman, O’Connor is something of a complicated figure. In her words, O’Connor opened the door for extreme conservatism to enter the highest court in the land. At the same time, O’Connor was a defender of moderation, and believed strongly in nonpartisanship when it came to interpreting the law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, spent years as a computer systems analyst before turning to a career in politics. Finding a lack of support and finances for her children's education inspired her to change paths. She now holds a leadership position in the Arizona Senate. Epstein is no stranger to the Arizona Legislature: Although this is her first Senate term, she served three terms in the House of Representatives. She represents a district that increasingly has trended Democratic, covering Ahwatukee Foothills, much of southern Tempe and parts of Chandler. In the 30-member Senate, Epstein leads a caucus of 14 Democrats. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Epstein joins hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl to discuss the state's budget and political balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has been laid to rest on December 19, 2023. In this special mini series we to bring you the interviews of those who knew her conducted by our host Ron Hansen, as well as former host and Republic reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez. We begin with O’Connor’s biographer Evan Thomas. He is a historian and journalist, and penned "First: Sandra Day O'Connor." Speaking from his home in Washington D.C., Thomas shared his reflections on O’Connor with Ron Hansen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez – both of whom you’ll hear in this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican Warren Petersen leads an Arizona state Senate that has been aggressive in pursuing its policy goals and, in many cases, defying Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. A third-generation resident of Gilbert, Arizona, Petersen was first elected to the Legislature in 2012 and has served in both the House, where he was the majority leader, and now in the Senate. As Senate president, Petersen along with his Republican counterparts in the House, brokered a state budget deal with Gov. Hobbs, as well as a compromise agreement on a regional transportation plan that gave everyone some claim to victory. In this episode of The Gaggle, a politics podcast by the Arizona Republic, Senator Petersen sits down with hosts Mary Jo Pitzl and Ron Hansen to discuss working in the rare state of divided government in Arizona and what lies ahead in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans from President Joe Biden on down have paid tribute to the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor since her passing on December 1, 2023. Most of the tributes and memories have understandably focused on her time on the court. She was historic, after all, as the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court. But she was fiercely proud of her roots as an Arizona ranch girl. In fact, she wrote a book about that period of her life with her brother, Alan Day. In this episode of The Gaggle we hear from Alan Day as he takes us to the family ranch, Lazy B. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sandra Day O’Connor, the Arizona ranch girl who was a fixture in Arizona’s statehouse and judiciary before becoming the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, died Friday December 1, 2023 of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. She was 93. In this bonus episode of The Gaggle, Ron Hansen shares her life story and her impact on Arizona and US politics. He is joined by former justice of the Arizona Supreme Court Ruth McGregor, her brother Alan Day, her biographer Evan Thomas, and more. The Gaggle looks back on the life and legacy of first woman Supreme Court justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mesa is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona. The East Valley is now just shy of half a million residents and has been a magnet for growth. For the the last decade, this boom has been shepherded by Mayor John Giles. He chalks up Mesa's success to several factors including smart investments in the city's properties. This in turn has paved the way for many of the world's biggest companies – Amazon, Apple, Google – to laid down roots here. As Giles begins to wrap up his tenure as mayor of the Valley's largest suburb, he stopped by The Gaggle studio to reflect on how Mesa has evolved, the challenges its overcome and ones it still has, and where he sees himself going next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to the holidays, the last thing most people want to think about are politics. The plethora of stories, memes, jokes, and comedy skits about "don't bring up politics at family gatherings" are a testament to the unspoken taboo. But sometimes its easy to forget that our elected officials are people too. And being a politics podcast, we here on The Gaggle wanted to bring you a different side to the men and women who help run our state. In this Thanksgiving episode, we'll hear from legislatures, mayors, and more about their family traditions, new recipes, and cherished holiday memories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast team at the Arizona Republic is busy working on season 4 of our investigative show "Rediscovering." In season 1, Richard Ruelas uncovers more to the mystery of murdered journalist Don Bolles. In season 2, Ron Hansen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez broke down how legendary racist law SB1070 came to be and its impact on Arizona. Last season, Rafael Carranza told the tale of José Antonio, a Mexican teenager who lost his life at the hands of a US border agent who shot through the border fence into Mexico. Coming soon is season 4: Roots of Radicalism hosted by The Gaggle's Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl. We'll bring you back to Arizona's beginnings and explore how extremism has become intertwined with the state's politics. This week, in lieu of a new episode, is Ron's interview with the host and reporters of season 3 that aired last year. They discussed how Rafael spent a decade covering the shooting and what was learned in talking to attorneys, the boy's family, and other experts during season 3. If you're not already, please subscribe to Rediscovering, an Arizona Republic and azcentral.com investigative podcast, wherever you listen and stay tuned for season 4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for ways to fatten up your bank account? Or eyeing some home improvements? This episode of The Gaggle shares tips on where and how to cash in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maricopa County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in America for almost a decade. It has about 4.6 million residents. While downtown Phoenix is rapidly building apartment buildings and Phoenix and its suburbs are adding new subdivisions, the unhoused population also has grown. At the beginning of the year, 9,642 people were experiencing homelessness in the county, according to a yearly attempt to quantify the county's homeless population. A tent city known as "The Zone" sits just southeast of the Capitol building in Phoenix. It garnered national attention as the United States' homeless population grew after pandemic aid dried up. In "The Zone," more than 1,000 people had set up tents. A judge has ordered it to be cleared out by the end of this week, giving those who live there limited time to plan. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Republic reporter Helen Rummel. Rummel covers housing insecurity and homelessness, and joins the show to discuss how the encampment became so large, how other cities may look to Phoenix for how to handle their crises, and if the city can achieve its goal on time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year again. They're standing outside the state fair or tracking you down in parking lots. People with clipboards and quick pitches on why you should sign the petition they're circulating. As it ramps up to an election year, it is citizen initiative season, and interest groups are taking it into their hands to put some big decisions before voters in November 2024. The details of Arizona's reproductive rights laws and changes in how the state conducts elections are hoping to make it to the ballot for voters. Maricopa County voters will get a chance to weigh in on a roads and transit plan and lawmakers might refer even more to the ballot when they meet next year. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Arizona Republic state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger to dive into what propositions could make it onto the 2024 ballot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tucson is gearing up for a city-wide election on November 7. Incumbent Mayor Regina Romero and many city council members are running again. Do Republicans have a shot in this Democratic stronghold? In this episode, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl tease out the possibilities with longtime Tucson resident and reporter Curt Prendergast of the Tucson Agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kari Lake is tossing her hat into the ring for Senate. Does she have enough appeal to Arizonans to win? The Gaggle hosts Mary Jo Pitzl and Ron Hansen discuss the possibilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most basic acts of government are supposed to be pretty straightforward. But in Arizona, nothing can be that simple, of course. In this state, the act of counting ballots, electing a governor without pushback on the process, and even following City Council regulations have been shrouded in controversy and drama. The newest seemingly rudimentary task to join the ranks of contentious practices is appointing precinct committeemen when there are openings. These members play key roles in organizing grassroots political efforts. They are elected officials who help their communities register to vote, canvass for candidates and lead movements to get out the vote. And generally, they are appointed by a county’s Board of Supervisors based on a list of names given to them by the county party’s chairperson. Some legislative district chairs say the Maricopa County Republican Committee is pitching precinct committeemen to county supervisors without their signoff. And it turns out this isn’t the first time, and it's not the only issue. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Ron Hansen is joined by Arizona Republic county reporter Sasha Hupka to discuss the drama behind these appointments and a new policy to help discern what supervisors legally can do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona is a key swing state for 2024. And the playing field for president, at present, is wide. With 13 GOP candidates and three Democrats, Arizonans and voters across the U.S. are spoiled for choice. But which presidential candidate is Arizona leaning towards? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August is usually when things cool down: the temperature drops just a little, members of Congress leave Washington D.C. and the Legislature is still soaking up their summer vacation. But this year, August is when things heated up, specifically for the Peoria City Council. August is when they tried and failed to keep the public out of an outlandish, secretive battle over a sex offender, their vice mayor and figuring out which rules they really needed to follow. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Ron Hansen, is joined by Arizona Republic reporter Taylor Seely to break down what exactly happened with vice mayor Denette Dunn and why the City of Peoria tried to keep it under wraps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kris Mayes has jumped into her role as state attorney general. Mayes has not been shy about taking on major issues, from abortion rights and critiquing the state's water policy to casting a skeptical eye on Arizona's new universal school voucher program. As the first Democrat to hold the seat in more than a decade, Mayes confirmed her office is investigating potential fraud related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Arizona played a key role in tipping the election to President Joe Biden. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Mary Jo Pitzl is joined by Republic state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger. She covers the governor and attorney general's offices. Their exclusive interview with Mayes covers election integrity, how she is prioritizing numerous pressing issues, and her office's fight against the fentanyl epidemic in Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're thinking Arizona is stuck in a "Groundhog Day"-type situation with the 2020 presidential election and all its fallout, think of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman. The Republican chairman has had a front-row seat to Arizona's election drama over the past three years and has been personally impacted by it. As a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Hickman tried to reach an agreement with the Arizona House and Senate over a review of the county's 2020 election results. When the Senate moved ahead on its own, Hickman was part of the county's battles with that chamber over the resulting ballot recount. Recently, he watched a man who had personally threatened him with lynching because of this decision get sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison. Hickman was a key stakeholder in the county’s elections administration both in 2020, when the process went well, and in 2022, when it wasn't as smooth. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Hickman to talk about elections, the growing legal tab for former Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Arizona Diamondbacks' stadium wishes. As the recently elected chairman of the five-member board, Hickman discussed issues past and present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elections are repetitive things in Arizona: the major parties hold their primaries in the summer, general election voting ends in November and it takes days to count the ballots. And then in recent years, we have at least two years of deniers claiming the elections were stolen. Some might say that the 2022 election has been over for almost a year. But some candidates are still contesting the results in court, while the last legislative session saw a raft of bills that would reconfigure elections. Apart from never-ending election denialism, Arizona is seeing interest from organizations eyeing a third party presence on this battleground state’s ballots. While there are still months until Arizona’s presidential primary, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, his staff and county election officials across the state are busy getting ready for what lies ahead. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to discuss how his office is preparing for a busy year in 2024, what he's doing to regain the trust in the elections process and how he'll handle President Trump's qualifications for the ballot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Horne returned to the state school superintendent’s office in January and wasted no time jumping back into his former job. Some viewed his return as jumping back in time, given his outspoken stance on returning to “traditional discipline” in the classroom, his dismissal of contemporary topics such as social-emotional learning and his insistence on a back-to-basics approach on curriculum. But some are pleased with the Republican superintendent's eagerness to decry "critical race theory" and defend a state law that bans transgender students from participating in female sports. Separate from the culture wars, he’s emerged as perhaps the most ardent supporter of Arizona’s universal school voucher program. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by the Horne for this exclusive interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona is hot. No surprise there. But what are the City of Phoenix and Arizona at large doing about it? Listen to find out what needs to happen to keep Arizonans cool. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Legislature this year set records. Not for bills passed or money spent, but for how long it was in session and how many vetoes Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs issued: 204 days spent trying to decide what to do and 143 decisions overruled by Hobbs. Both are signs of the difficult adjustment to divided government at the Capitol, something Arizona has not seen for 14 years. But what actually got done this year, if anything? This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Arizona Republic reporters Stacey Barchenger and Taylor Seely. Barchenger, who covers the Governor's Office, talked with The Gaggle about how the legislative session shook out and what can be expected next year, when nearly every seat is up for grabs. Seely, who reports on Phoenix city government, joined the show to analyze two major pieces of legislation affecting Arizona cities that were passed this session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona's empowerment scholarship account, or ESA, is the most extensive in the country. Now, students whose families want to send them to a private school or provide specialized instruction can do so thanks to a taxpayer-funded voucher. The program helps some families, but critics say the program's cost will strain the state budget, and there's no way to gauge the kind of education students are getting or who's making money off of the program because it lacks many guardrails. This year, more than 60,000 students are enrolled in the ESA program, a significant jump from last year's 12,000 students. Issues with administration are also plaguing the program. In this episode of The Gaggle, The Republic's K-12 reporter, Yana Kunichoff joins hosts Mary Jo Pitzl and Ron Hansen. Together they discuss how much this rapidly growing program will cost taxpayers, the data holes in the program, and how Arizona's ESA program can improve to better serve students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every week on The Gaggle, we dive into political topics and subjects that affect Arizonans. We interview politicians. We ask questions of political analysts. We break down what state and national decisions mean right here at home. This time, we turned over the questions to the listeners. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl open up the mailbag and answer questions submitted by listeners. They respond to concerns about water allocation, education funding, historic building tax write-offs and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For three years in a row, Arizona's Republican state lawmakers tried to pass legislation to bar what was described as "critical race theory" from being taught in Arizona classrooms. They wanted to restrict schools from teaching anything that could be perceived as judging a person based on race or ethnicity, or cause a person to feel ashamed because of their race or ethnicity. This year, the bill passed though the House and Senate, but Gov. Katie Hobbs promptly vetoed it, saying it would only serve to divide and antagonize. It wasn't the only scolding from the Democratic governor, who has served as a buffer against other legislation rooted in the culture wars. She vetoed the pronoun bill SB 1001 and the bathroom bill SB 1040 – both measures aimed at the hot topic of transgender rights in Arizona’s schools and sponsored by Sen. John Kavanagh. Hobbs disposed of a bill rooted in another issue of the moment: drag shows. She also vetoed a measure that would have barred state financial investments in any operation that adheres to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. And that’s just a sampling of legislation in 2023. Last year, Arizona emerged on the front lines of the culture wars when then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed bills that banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth and required student athletes to compete in the gender category that matches the sex they were assigned at birth. These policies have been enacted in numerous other Republican-controlled states. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Steve McIntosh joins host Mary Jo Pitzl. McIntosh is the director and co-founder of Cultural Evolution, a nonprofit that strives to integrate contrasting points of view when examining social issues. Together, they discuss the sudden popularity of culture war issues, why they have emerged in a warlike context and their effect on politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the All-Star break for baseball. The good news for the Arizona Diamondbacks is the team is tied for first place in the National League West. The bad news is fans still aren’t flocking to Chase Field. And part of the problem may be Chase Field itself. After 25 years, it’s not new and it’s not a classic. The team has considered relocating. A move seems off the table now, however. This spring, voters in Tempe rejected an arena and entertainment district deal that would have created a new home for the Arizona Coyotes hockey team. That leaves the long-term future of the Coyotes up in the air. Where do things stand with the D-Backs? In this episode of The Gaggle, we’re talking through the Diamondbacks' stadium situation. Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks beat reporter for The Republic, joins hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl for the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 4th 1776, 56 men signed a document declaring the newly formed 13 colonies as one United States of America. By this charter, they formed a new country. One free from Britain's rule. The Declaration of Independence showcased the rights and beliefs of the new country. It was a written record of what America would stand for and was signed by the nation’s founding fathers. Today, to honor the country’s sovereignty, The Gaggle presents a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer is here. The temperature is consistently in the triple digits, and the state Legislature is out on break. The first six months of the year are nearly in the books. While it may seem like the pages of the calendar flipped a little too quickly, Arizona was awash with political news in the first half of the year. A new Democratic governor was sworn in. Bills were passed, but a record number of bills were vetoed. Candidates announced their campaigns for 2024. And water became the hottest topic. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Arizona Republic reporters covering some of the most pressing topics in Arizona politics. Ray Stern analyzes the number of departures in the state Legislature. Stacey Barchenger talks about Gov. Katie Hobbs' struggle to fill her cabinet. Taylor Seely discusses the confluence of development and water in Maricopa County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a year since the U.S. Supreme Court erased federal abortion rights in a ruling that divided Americans and injected the issue into the 2022 midterm elections. The ruling upended abortion laws across the country and created confusion in Arizona over whether a 19th-century near-total ban on abortions was the law, or a 2021 law limiting most abortions to within 15 weeks of conception. Arizona’s legal landscape on this issue remains less than clear, and many candidates appear eager to test the political potency of abortion as an issue in 2024. In this episode of The Gaggle, we’re speaking with two guests about how Dobbs has affected Arizonans and what it could mean for those running in 2024. First, you’ll hear from Stephanie Innes, who covers healthcare issues for The Arizona Republic. Then you’ll hear from Amy Walter of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which tracks political races across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On June 19th, 2022, President Joe Biden, by executive order, made this day a federal holiday. Juneteenth, as it’s commonly called, marks the day when U.S. troops entered Galveston, Texas in 1865 to free people who were still suffering enslavement. This is despite the fact that slavery had officially ended two and a half years prior. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. Juneteenth is considered America's second independence day. In honor of that, we here on The Gaggle present to you a reading of the 14th Amendment. This amendment grants citizenship to all persons either born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people. The amendment also provides equal protection under law. Here to read the Amendment are staff and reporters of The Arizona Republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy struck a deal to stave off a default by the federal government. It passed on a bipartisan basis, with more Democrats voting for it than Republicans, and now some of the most conservative Republicans in the House, many of them in the House Freedom Caucus, are making McCarthy pay for it. These conservative hardliners, including Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., upset Republican plans to pass bills intended to prevent Biden from outlawing gas stoves. Then they forced the chamber to cancel any votes the next day, leading Republican leadership to cancel more days of votes. The battle isn't across the aisle, rather between the right and the far right. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Ron Hansen is joined by Matthew Green to discuss where this stalemate could lead and why the Freedom Caucus is disproportionately Arizonan. Green is a professor of politics at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He is the author of “Legislative Hardball: The House Freedom Caucus and the Power of Threat-Making in Congress.” What political topics would you like to hear on The Gaggle? We want to hear from you! Send us a note via email here or leave us a voicemail at 602-444-0804. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress narrowly averted an unprecedented federal default after House Republicans and President Joe Biden reached a deal on trimming government spending over the next two years. To make it stick, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy received more votes from House Democrats than from his fellow Republicans on a deal few on either side really liked. It was all part of the reality of a nine-seat GOP majority in the House with a party that has deep divisions. Voters will reassess that majority next year. With two Arizona seats expected to be among the more competitive races in the country, voters here could play a role in deciding which party controls the House of Representatives. In this episode, we'll hear about the candidates who have so far tossed their hats into the ring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Redistricting is the most important story in America that no one cares about. These political maps shape the power of your vote. Today, The Gaggle sits down the three independent commissioners who have overseen the redrawing of district lines. We hear how it's done and what they would change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout 2021, Arizona's dubious review of Maricopa County's 2020 ballots, all 2.1 million of them, was a national spectacle. Long before that effort concluded that President Joe Biden won by slightly more votes than the certified results showed, it was obvious that Doug Logan and his Cyber Ninjas team were partisans with no experience conducting what Republicans billed as a forensic audit. Over the nearly two years since then, litigation from the Arizona Republic and others have led to the public release of 39,000 messages involving Logan, the one-time CEO of the now defunct Cyber Ninjas. Yet despite the immense volume of now public information, we're still missing 3,000 documents from Logan. This in spite of a court order to release them. It's not clear why Logan continues to hold on to these documents. But one thing is certain the state Senate's "audit" was anything but professional or fair. In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl unpack what information Arizonans do have from Dough Logan's documents, what is still missing, and why it matters for voters moving forward. Republic reporter Ryan Randazzo examined documents along with Larry Moore, the founder of the Boston-based election technology company Clear Ballot Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Title 42, the pandemic-era law that authorized the quick expulsion of migrants, has expired. In its place, the U.S. government is implementing enforcement policies meant to reduce the number of people reaching the U.S.-Mexico border while also creating opportunities for asylum seekers to gain protection within the country. The transition to the new policies is expected to create significant challenges as border communities, the federal agencies and the non-governmental organizations that cater to the migrant population adapt to the changes that went into effect May 12. What is next for migrants seeking shelter in the U.S.? And how will Congress handle this political hot potato moving forward? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed Arizona's $17.8 billion state budget into law in record time. Among the winners are Republican pet projects such as money for the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo, funding to repair a bridge in Lake Havasu City, and Democratic wins such as more reliable funding for public schools and investment in more services for the unhoused. But not everyone is happy with the budget or how much of it was constructed behind closed doors. In this bonus episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by reporters Ray Stern and Stacey Barchenger to hash out the wins and losses in this year's state budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Legislature is considering a plan to allow Maricopa County to hold an election on a transportation tax, but it has been a bumpy ride. Supporters say extending a half-cent tax for transportation for another 20 years will help the county’s transportation network keep pace with continued economic and population growth. The plan would build out Phoenix's freeway network, improve miles of major streets and expand public transit services. But the transit provisions of what is called the Proposition 400 extension have Republican lawmakers tapping the brakes, complicating efforts to get the necessary votes to put the issue on the ballot in November 2024. This week on The Gaggle, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Arizona State University's Mark Roseland. He’s a professor at the School of Community Resources and Development at ASU and is a senior sustainability scientist with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at ASU. Roseland explains why good transportation makes a good city. In the second half of the podcast, the hosts break down the politics of Proposition 400. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tempe votes on May 16 to either welcome or boot out the Coyotes hockey team and accompanying entertainment complex. Proponents of the development claim that the sport and entertainment district will be a huge win for Tempe including generating nearly 7000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue. Opponents claim that the city should put its energy into fixing present issues like creating more affordable housing and tackling the opioid crisis. If the back and forth between critics and proponents isn’t enough, there’s the ongoing legal battle after Phoenix sued Tempe, alleging the apartments proposed for the project would create a safety hazard with low-flying aircraft at Sky Harbor International Airport. Today, host Mary Jo Pitzl is joined by The Republic’s Sam Kmack, who covers Tempe and Scottsdale, and Taylor Seely, who covers Phoenix but is a resident of Tempe and recently moderated a debate between the Vote Yes and Vote No groups on the Coyotes area issue. You can see the full video of the debate here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices