Arizona House Democrats press GOP leaders to adopt code of conduct

PHOENIX — Democrats in the Arizona House of Representatives say a code of conduct to hold members accountable for their actions is needed in light of the recent resignation of an embattled state lawmaker.

“Mr. Speaker, we ask that you immediately take action and convene the appropriate committee to adopt a code of conduct and put into place as soon as possible,” said House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez, speaking from the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday.

Speaker Rusty Bowers, a Republican from Mesa, explained the code of conduct hasn’t been created because “we have had a few things going on that have taken a bit of our time.”

Last year, House members agreed to come up with a code of conduct. But that code still doesn’t exist and members have not been assigned to a committee that can come up with the code of conduct.

House Democrats said they named members to serve on the committee while Republicans have not.

“We have no policy and no committee,” Fernandez said. “We are in violation of our own rules and I certainly don’t think any member of the public is going to argue that we don’t need this.”

“We need these rules now more than ever,” she added. “Scandal must no longer plague our legislature.”

This comes in light of the recent allegations against former Rep. David Stringer. He resigned last week after a Baltimore Police report showed he allegedly paid two boys to have sex in 1983. Stringer has denied the charge.

Bowers said the House Ethics Committee, which was investigating Stringer before he resigned, has already talked about coming up with a code of conduct.

“We will be taking counsel or suggestions from the other side of the aisle on specifics,” he said. “We’re here to work and we’ll get it done.”

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