PHOENIX — The demand by House Speaker David Gowan for extensive background checks of the media who want regular floor access has left Gov. Doug Ducey a bit bemused.

The governor told Capitol Media Services on Monday he has been following the flap that started last week over the checks and what offenses the House decides makes someone unfit to get floor access. There have been charges by media lawyers that this is in reaction to news stories disclosing that Gowan spent $12,000 in taxpayer funds for personal travel and in his bid for Congress.

The governor said he wasn’t going to second-guess the House policy instituted Thursday. But he suggested that perhaps Gowan’s claim the move is because of legitimate security concerns might not hold up.

“I’ve been in the public eye now as governor for 15 months,” Ducey said.

“I’ve gotten to know this press corps,” he continued. “And I feel most of the time pretty safe around you,” the governor laughed.

More serious, Ducey said it comes down to public officials understanding the press has a job to do. “I may not always like the questions you ask,” he said.

“You may not always like the answers I give,” Ducey continued. “But this is part of a transparent republic.”

In the interim, Stephanie Grisham, publicist for the House Republican majority, said Gowan is not backing away from his demand that reporters accede to have House staff conduct criminal, civil and driving record checks.

The policy also says certain criminal convictions make someone ineligible for floor privileges, including not just certain felonies but also trespass. Arizona Capitol Times reporter Hank Stephenson, who disclosed Gowan’s misspending, has such a Class 2 misdemeanor conviction.

Ducey said he won’t second-guess the House policy.

“The House is going to make its rules and Speaker Gowan is going to make his decisions,” the governor said. “Our office is going to continue to be open and accessible to the press.”

That’s true up to a point.

Ducey’s Executive Tower office is off limits to reporters just wandering in. That building, unlike the House or Senate, has metal detectors. And Ducey has a Department of Public Safety detail. But the governor routinely stops and chats with reporters after public events.

Separately, House Democrats attempted Monday to amend the rules to specifically grant House floor access to regular state government reporters.

They also sought a separate rule to overturn Gown’s policy of allowing lawmakers to be armed while on the House floor.

The move was defeated with Republicans outnumbering Democrats.