Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin unveiled her bipartisan transition leadership team Tuesday, saying she wants to build a collaborative approach to governing as she prepares to lead the Texas Senate.
Goodwin, who will become the first woman to serve as Texas lieutenant governor, said her focus during the transition is meeting with senators to hear their priorities and determine how they can work together to represent their districts.
“The voters sent a message on Tuesday evening. Texans want change and they want their elected leaders to be effective,” Goodwin said. “They want us working together, setting aside partisanship and moving the state and country forward.”
The transition team will help Goodwin build her staff and prepare her office to begin its work. State Rep. Chris Turner will serve as the team’s chairman, while Angela Hale will serve as executive director.
The team also includes a bipartisan group of current and former lawmakers, with retired Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips serving as an adviser.
Honorary co-chairs include former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, Austin Mayor and former state Sen. Kirk Watson, former state Sen. Kel Seliger and former state Sen. Tommy Williams.
Other members include Kate Alexander, Jesse and Sarah, Denise Davis, Lisa Kaufman, Jud Messer, Ursula Parks and Ross Peavey.
Goodwin said she has already started meeting with senators and hopes to have a better sense of the team’s work on legislative priorities and the agenda by Jan. 1. She said she has not established a firm timeline.
Goodwin identified public education, affordability and health care as priorities she plans to focus on, pointing to concerns she heard from voters during the campaign.
“I am very passionate about our public school system,” Goodwin said. “What I heard from voters is they’re very concerned about affordability. Health care is one of those issues that is a cost driver. So health care is a top priority.”
On the issue of THC regulation, which was a major topic of debate in the Senate last legislative session, Goodwin said she supports regulation but does not want a full ban.
“I think that we need regulation around THC. I’m not interested in a full ban on THC, but there’s a lot of details to be worked out,” she said.
As a Democrat who served eight years in the Texas House, Goodwin said she has experience working across party lines and finding common ground with Republican lawmakers.
She pointed to a mental health bill she passed with Republican state Sen. Bob Hall as an example of that collaboration.
Goodwin also said she does not intend to pursue a legislative agenda shaped by one person.
“It’s not going to be one person’s agenda. It is an agenda formed by all of the senators,” she said.
The incoming lieutenant governor said she looks forward to working with the Senate and Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa as she prepares to take office.
Hale said the transition is accepting resumes from people interested in serving in the incoming administration. Applicants can submit their information through the transition team’s employment portal.
