State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, introduced House Bill 2814 to the Legislature on March 1. It is a bill she said was inspired by a highway safety advocacy group called Safer71 based out of the Sweetwater area in western Travis County.

Operating in a Republican run Legislature that has been more interested in expanding gun rights, advocates for laws promoting firearm safety— including three Austin Democrats — said Tuesday that they have higher hopes for progress this session.

Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, joined the Texas House of Representatives in January as a political freshman. While she can turn to her fellow House women, her real preparation for the job comes from her years as a longtime campaign volunteer and a mother of three biological children and two stepchildren. This is how she leads Texas.