Texas State Representative

Vikki Goodwin Biography

Biography

Vikki Goodwin is currently serving her third term in the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 47, which encompasses western Travis County, including communities such as Austin, Bee Cave, and parts of Lake Travis. She is a small business owner and a licensed real estate broker, balancing her professional duties with her commitment to public service. Goodwin is an alumna of the University of Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) before obtaining a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. Throughout her career, she has remained actively involved in local community initiatives and various boards and commissions, which have equipped her with a deep understanding of the issues facing her constituents.

Rep. Goodwin has sponsored and co-sponsored several significant legislative bills during her tenure. Notably, she was instrumental in passing a number of laws during the 88th legislative session aimed at improving public safety, mental health services, and food security. For instance, she championed Cati's Act on drowning prevention and the Natalia Cox Act for violence prevention. Furthermore, Goodwin's legislation to expand AcuDetox reflects her commitment to mental health, providing broader access to acupuncture treatments as a non-pharmaceutical option for managing stress and addiction. She also established the Texas Food Security and Resiliency Council, which is aimed at enhancing community food access across the state.

Goodwin's legislative priorities extend to education funding, environmental protection, and housing. She has been a co-author of the education accountability bill HB3780, which seeks to address underperformance in public schools through stronger oversight and interventions. Additionally, Goodwin has made notable contributions in committees such as the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee and the Urban Affairs Committee, actively engaging in discussions around public safety, gun violence prevention, and urban development.

In defining her political leanings, Goodwin's engagement with a range of social issues points to a pragmatic approach to governance. Her sponsorship of bills focused on suicide prevention related to firearms, such as HB3534, indicates a recognition of the complex interplay between mental health and gun violence, merging public health initiatives with legislative action. Furthermore, her ongoing work on housing bills, including efforts to ensure that funds appropriated for education are equitably distributed to school districts, showcases her advocacy for financial equity.

Goodwin's active participation in both her community and the legislative process suggests a dedication to addressing the needs of her constituents directly. Her experience as a business owner and her engagement with community services provide her with a unique perspective that influences her policy decisions and legislative actions.

Goodwin, a long-time resident of Shady Hollow, is also a mother to grown children, further deepening her connectivity with family-oriented issues in her district. As she moves forward, she is set to file additional measures, including the Affordable Rent Act, continuing her advocacy for environmental protection, economic stability, and a balanced state budget.