Arizona Rep. Lovas Resigns From House

By Al Macias
Published: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 8:29am

State Representative Phil Lovas said Monday he is resigning to take a position with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Lovas is chairman of the House Rules Committee through which all bills must pass to go to the House floor.

One bill Lovas has refused to hear is a measure, which bans not only texting by new teen drivers but even talking on a cell phone. It has already passed the Senate.

The same bill sponsored by Prescott Republican Sen. Karen Fann, also was approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 

Lovas said he was not interested in bringing the bill to the floor.

"I think the happiest people today would probably be Karen Fann and others whose bills I have held," Lovas said.

Lovas, an early Trump supporter, said he had put his name in for consideration with White House staff. His last day in office will be the end of this week.