The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

Last week the Maricopa Association of Governments sent teams of volunteers across the Valley to count the number of homeless people residing in the state. Arizona Republic reporters followed these volunteers and spoke to the homeless individuals about what led to their homelessness and what the experience is like. This week on The Gaggle, national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen interview Jessica Boehm, city of Phoenix reporter, and Catherine Reagor, real-estate reporter. The four discuss the conditions that led to today's rising homelessness and how the state is responding. Plus, stick around for the end of this episode. We have a bonus interview with former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg. He makes his case for why Arizona should vote for him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Senators sit for hours on end listening to the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Arizona Republic reporters are reading cues from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, and Sen. Martha McSally, a Republican, for insight into how they may ultimately vote. The senators and their colleagues are weighing two articles of impeachment against Trump. He is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from leveraging the presidency to convince Ukrainian officials to investigate his political rivals. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen dive into the senator's trial votes — and discuss the political implications that could help shape their votes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Invest in Education Initiative Act is making a comeback and could be on your 2020 ballot this fall. The proposal looks similar to the 2018 initiative. It would increase taxes for high-income earners, including single filers earning more than $250,000 or married filers earning more than $500,000.But the previous iteration was struck down by the Arizona Supreme Court in 2018 due to its lack of clarity. And the proposal is at odds with Gov. Doug Ducey's plan for education funding.In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen break down the proposed initiative, including its history. Joining them on the episode is education reporter Lily Altavena, who weighs in on whether Arizona voters are likely to stomach a new tax.In this episode you'll hear:  How this new ballot measure differs from the one in 2018  What Ducey's plans are for education funding  How we could see teacher salaries grow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days after delivering his State of the State speech this week, Gov. Doug Ducey elaborated on his priorities, and fielded questions on some of Arizona's other top issues in an exclusive interview with The Gaggle podcast.Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen asked Ducey about his plans for gun safety reform, water policy, marijuana legalization and why he's involved himself on reshaping the mission of the Department of Corrections.The interview follow Ducey's sixth and longest State of the State address on Monday. The speech, named "The Arizona Way," touched on topics like economic growth and education funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona adults unable to protect themselves from abuse or exploitation because of a physical or mental impairment are falling through the cracks of the state system designed to protect them.  This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen get an advance interview with healthcare reporter Stephanie Innes about her reporting on the flawed system serving vulnerable adults. This includes myriad agencies, such as Arizona's Adult Protective Services, Arizona Department of Health Services and more.The episode takes you behind the scenes into a state task force meeting to hear heartbreaking testimony from victims and their families, and how local leaders are hoping to improve conditions.The state task force convened after a woman with severe disabilities was raped and gave birth at Hacienda HealthCare in December 2018.  Staff at the facility was unaware the woman was pregnant until she went into labor, according to 911 calls.--For suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, Adult Protective Services operates a hotline: (877) SOS-ADULT or (877) 767-2385 or TDD: (877) 815-8390. The hotline does not run 24/7, however. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and state holidays.To file online reports with Adult Protective Services at any time, use this link: azdes.gov/reportadultabuse.To file online complaints about facilities that are licensed through the Arizona Department of Health Services, go here: app3.azdhs.gov/PROD-AZHSComplaint-UI.The main phone number for the Arizona Department of Health Services is (602) 364-2536.The Arizona Center for Disability Law is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides a variety of legal services to people with disabilities. Its toll-free number is 1-800-927-2260. The center has an online intake form and self-advocacy guides at azdisabilitylaw.org/getting-help/.The Area Agency on Aging operates a 24-hour senior helpline for Phoenix residents at (602) 264-HELP or (602) 264-4357, which can help seniors navigate local resources and answer questions about transportation, housing, long-term care, home-delivered meals and home care.The San Francisco-based Institute on Aging maintains a 24/7 toll-free crisis "Friendship Line" for older adults and adults with disabilities. The number is (800) 971-0016. Trained volunteers specialize in offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with depressed adults.The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (800) 782-6400 or (602) 279-7270 (TTD/TTY).The national domestic violence hotline: (800) 799-7233 or (800) 787-3224 (TTY).The national sexual assault hotline: (800) 656-HOPE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The annual State of the State address is an opportunity for Gov. Doug Ducey to lay out his agenda for 2020, unveil new policy proposals and reflect on the controversies and successes of 2019. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen talk to State Legislature reporter Andrew Oxford and state government and politics reporter Maria Polletta about what to expect from Ducey in this year's address.In this episode you'll hear about: Ducey's plans for education, infrastructure and occupational licensing How the State Legislature might respond during session  How 2020's election season will affect the Legislative session  Related reading:  What Gov. Ducey's 2019 budget proposal adds in Arizona education spending From 2019: Ducey's budget seeks to widen I-17 north of Phoenix, address weekend backups Here's what you need to know about Arizona's new law for out-of-state work licenses Gov. Doug Ducey asks Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to investigate Hacienda HealthCare From Opinions: Can Arizona fix its water problems? Here's what (and who) will answer that Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Psychological Association's "Stress in America 2019" survey found that 62% of Americans say they're stressed by the current political climate. And 62% say that the future of the country is a significant source of stress.Dr. Lynn Bufka is the executive director of practice, research and policy at the American Psychological Association. She joins hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen on this week's episode of The Gaggle, a political podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. In this episode, you'll hear: About the uptick in stress related to politics and how the APA is measuring it How stress affects our overall well-being What strategies or resources exist for people who are feeling particularly burdened by politics How our hosts are gearing up for the next election cycle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from The Gaggle! We're taking a week off to spend time with family and friends. But we wanted to say thank you for giving us your time and attention this year. We'll join you again in 2020 and we're already gearing up for the election-related news to come. Happy holidays, all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From legalizing recreational marijuana to the presidential election of 2020, there is a lot for Arizonans to watch out for in the coming year. This week on the Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen sit down with state government reporter Andrew Oxford to go over the six biggest stories they'll be following next year. In this episode, you'll hear about: Arizona's significance in the presidential election Voter access during the primary election State House and Senate races  Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arizona How changing demographics could reshape Arizona's political climate Related reading:  Maricopa County will nearly quadruple polling places for presidential primary as compared to 2016 Lawsuit challenges Arizona's deadline for mail ballots Arizona county recorders falling short on web security, expert says Where Sen. Martha McSally and her Democratic challenger Mark Kelly stand on DACA Here's what you need to know about marijuana in Arizona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Groundwater levels in many parts of rural Arizona are plummeting. That's because outside investors are buying land, drilling large wells and pumping out water for industrial farms.The investors are drawn to Arizona for its lack of regulation, but nearby residents are enduring the consequences. While investors have the money to drill wells that are four times as deep, nearby families cannot complete. Instead, their wells are going dry. In this week's Gaggle, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen sit down with environmental reporter Ian James and data reporter Rob O'Dell to discuss how lawmakers are managing Arizona's next water crisis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices