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3h ago

Dan Patrick Urges GOP Senate to Strip Powers From Lt. Gov.-Elect Vikki Goodwin

A Republican 19-12 Senate majority can change chamber rules before Goodwin is sworn in which would reassign the lieutenant governor’s rule-based authority over committees, floor votes and the budget.

Irving Frost Marathon
From left: State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa and Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin.
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Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin holds her first press conference after last week's midterm to announce her transition team at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Nov. 10, 2026.

Overview

  • On Monday, outgoing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick publicly told conservative radio listeners he supports Republican senators changing Texas Senate rules to remove major powers from Vikki Goodwin before she takes office.
  • Republicans will hold a 19-12 majority in the 31-member Senate and a simple majority of 16 senators can rewrite chamber rules that currently give the lieutenant governor control over committee appointments, which bills reach the floor, and major budget influence.
  • Goodwin has responded by naming a bipartisan transition team that includes former Republican senators Kel Seliger and Tommy Williams and by meeting individually with senators to build cooperation on an agenda.
  • Her stated priorities are boosting K-12 public school funding, redirecting Education Savings Account money back to public schools, expanding Medicaid and addressing affordability and health care access.
  • If senators move to curtail the office’s powers before January it could be hard to reverse, could prompt legal fights, and is likely to shape policy battles and campaign messaging ahead of the 2028 elections.