Politics
Goodwin Unveils Bipartisan Transition Team as Patrick Pushes Senate Rule Changes
Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin introduced a transition team that includes two former Republican senators, signaling a collaborative approach. Meanwhile, outgoing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged Senate Republicans to change the chamber's rules before Goodwin takes office.
AUSTIN â Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin introduced a bipartisan transition leadership team at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, signaling an intent to govern collaboratively even as the chamber's current Republican leader pushes for rule changes that could constrain her authority.
The team includes two former Republican state senators, Tommy Williams of the Houston suburbs and Kel Seliger of Amarillo, along with outgoing Democratic state Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, who will serve as chairman.
"I am so honored to be the first woman Lt. Governor-elect of the State of Texas," Goodwin said at a news conference.
Turner praised Goodwin's approach. "She is a leader who cares deeply about Texas and knows that to get results for the people, lawmakers must work together to find common ground," he said. "Texans expect and deserve nothing less."
Goodwin, a Democrat, will take office on Jan. 19 and become President of the Texas Senate, where Republicans will hold a majority. The lieutenant governor is among the most powerful officials in state government, with authority over the budget, committee assignments and the flow of legislation to the Senate floor.
Current Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told conservative radio host Mark Davis this week that Senate Republicans should change the chamber's rules. "Vikki Goodwin won, but she doesn't have the majority of votes on the floor," Patrick said. "So, I believe, and I support the Republicans standing up for their voters."
It remains unclear which rules Republicans might seek to alter. Several Republican state senators did not respond to requests for comment.
Goodwin indicated she would take a different approach than Patrick. "It's not going to be one person's agenda," she said. "It's going to be formed by all of the senators."
She identified boosting public education funding and expanding healthcare coverage as her top priorities. She also said she opposes a full ban on THC products, which Patrick sought last year. "I think that we need regulation of THC," Goodwin said. "I'm not interested in a full ban on THC."
Also on Tuesday, the presumptive next Speaker of the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, announced her own transition leadership team, which includes three former Republican Speakers: Joe Straus, Dennis Bonnen and Dade Phelan. House members will vote for a new Speaker on the first day of the legislative session, Jan. 12. If Thompson is formally elected, she would be the first woman and first African American to hold the post. It would also mark the first time the state's top elected leaders are all women: Thompson, Goodwin and Gov. Gina Hinojosa.