AUSTIN (KXAN) —Texas lawmakers are joining the push to add a new “green amendment” to the state constitution. The movement aims to protect people’s rights to “clean air, clean water, healthy soil, fauna, etc…” said State Representative Vikki Goodwin (D).

On October 17, Rep. Goodwin is hosting a town hall that will discuss the Green Amendment and why it should be added to the Texas Constitution.

“It’s actually a very short amendment,” Rep. Goodwin said. She introduced the amendment during the last legislative session in 2023. The joint resolution did not receive a hearing. Rep. Goodwin said she’s planning to bring the amendment up again in the next legislative session that starts in January.

“I’ve had a little bit more time to let people know what it is we’re trying to accomplish with it, and we’ve gotten some groups that are getting behind it,” Rep. Goodwin said.

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AUSTIN (KXAN) —by: Avery Travis, Jun 17, 2024 / 09:43 PM CDT

An alert system meant to notify people of active shooter situations was not activated in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Juneteenth event in Round Rock, law enforcement confirmed to KXAN investigators.

Two people died and 14 others were injured in the incident, sparked by a fight between two groups at the event at Old Settlers Park on Saturday night, Round Rock police said. Police are still searching for the shooting suspect.

Texas Representative Vikki Goodwin told KXAN she believes it is “tragic” that the system is not being utilized.

“We pass laws to make people safer. This one in particular to let people know if there is an active shooting event going on so they can take precaution,” Goodwin told KXAN. “Nobody was aware that this shooting was going on. Some people said they thought it was fireworks, at first, but then they saw people running. So, I think it would have been helpful for an alert to go out.”

Rep. Goodwin said she believes there is an increased need for public awareness in cases where the suspect has not been apprehended. She first spoke out about the use of this system in December 2023, after a suspect allegedly shot and killed several people in different locations across Travis and Bexar Counties.

AUSTIN (KXAN), by: Erica Pauda, Roo Moody, 3/6/24 — On Wednesday, State Rep. Vikki Goodwin provided more details on new water safety measures in place under Cati’s Act as a way to minimize drownings of children under 12 through stricter water safety measures.

Goodwin and State Sen. Judith Zaffirini hosted a press conference Wednesday morning ahead of spring break to spark a discussion on the importance of Cati’s Act between community leaders, water safety advocates as well as legislators, a news release from Goodwin’s office said.