Arizona lawmaker drops ban on journalists who refuse checks

PHOENIX (AP) — The speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives allowed journalists who refused to submit to extensive background checks back on to the floor of the chamber Tuesday amid pressure from lawmakers and the public over the sudden shift in decades-old policy.

The announcement came five days after Republican House Speaker David Gowan banned reporters who refused to comply with new security rules requiring extensive criminal and civil background checks.

Journalists covered House floor sessions from the public gallery area in the meantime but lost access to lawmakers.

Gowan changed the rules after the Arizona Capitol Times reported in January that the lawmaker was using a state vehicle and collecting per diems while traveling the state to campaign for Congress.

House Democrats in particular publicly criticized the policy, and the Democratic leader said Tuesday that Gowan and Majority Leader Steve Montenegro "created a diversion from doing the work the people and our constituents sent us here to do."