New Lt. Gov. announces transition team

It is transition day. A lot of the top new people coming into office announcing how they're going to do it and who will help them do that. And among them... is Austin's own mayor, Kurt Watson. Watson, you may remember, is a former state senator who served in the upper chamber with the other team members that have been identified, including two Republicans picked by Vicki Goodwin, who is the lieutenant governor-elect. Now, the lieutenant governor-elect today indicated this bipartisan work group that she has created is somewhat of an indication, a signal, if you will, And how she plans to govern. The state senate chamber was filled Tuesday with tourists and guides offering tidbits about Texas legislative history. In a nearby room, history was being made as Lieutenant Governor-elect Vicki Goodwin presented her transition team. I imagine Governor Ann Richards and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan watching and smiling. They have inspired so many of us. And I'm proud to walk in their footsteps. And use their vote to send a message that it is time for change. November 3rd, Goodwin, an Austin Democrat, was elected as the first woman to be the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. She defeated incumbent Dan Patrick as part of the surprising big blue sweep down the midterm ballot. Goodwin's transition team includes former Republican state senators Tommy Williams and Kel Seliger. Both have had political run-ins with Dan Patrick several times over public education. The outgoing lieutenant governor reportedly is starting a consulting business. Tuesday, Patrick's replacement on the Senate dais was praised for the pledge to be less confrontational. Starting on January 19th, 181 members of the legislature, lieutenant governor, and the governor all have issues of importance to them and agendas, and if they're going to They've come to be successful in any measure, they have to cooperate, and hopefully they That cooperation begins with this transition right now. PR Specialist Angela Hale, who has worked for Equality Texas, as well as House Speaker Joe Straus and Greg Abbott in the AG's office, will lead Goodwin's transition team, along with former House Democrat Caucus Chairman Chris Turner, who is the chairman of the transition team. I've had the privilege of serving with Lieutenant Governor-elect Goodwin for the last eight years in the Texas House of Representatives. In that time, I've had a front-row seat to see who our new Lieutenant Governor is. She's someone who is undaunted by a challenge. This transition team includes retired Democrat Senators Letitia VandePutte and former Republican Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips. Their first assignment, putting together a staff, and then some legislative priorities. Well, I've said on the campaign trail repeatedly that I am very passionate about our public school system. And 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. So I will focus on the things that we heard on the campaign trail and that I talked about every day on the campaign trail. And she also talked a whole lot about the hemp regulation regarding THC products, products with levels of THC. Goodwin says that she is opposed, that she hopes to do some regulations for those products, but she has reinstated that she's opposed to the status quo and an all-out ban. Alec. Rudy, we talked about this a little bit, but did Goodwin herself address the reports that Republican senators who are in the majority are looking to actually reduce her power? Yeah, that is a pending situation facing her, but she did not address any questions about that today. But it is worth noting that the outgoing lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, was on a radio show just yesterday saying he supports that idea.