(Photo courtesy of Glendale)

Glendale Yucca District Councilman Sammy Chavira.

Glendale City Councilman Sammy Chavira has come under fire recently for taking out-of-state trips on the public’s dime, and he plans to ask for a review of the city’s travel policy during Tuesday’s council workshop.

The Arizona Republic uncovered that Chavira charged taxpayers about $4,000 for a pair of trips to Washington, D.C., for Congressman Ruben Gallego’s inauguration and to see Pope Francis. 

Chavira has maintained he did nothing wrong, and the city attorney reportedly said the trips were legal and within city policy. 

Chavira declined to be interviewed. But said he wants city staff to review Glendale’s travel policy and compare it with others. 

Also a Phoenix firefighter, Chavira is up for reelection this year. Former Councilwoman Joyce Clark, who Chavira beat in 2012, has said she’ll run against him.