Essay: Can’t imagine a Democratic Texas governor? Let me tell you about Ann Richards.
Ann Richards raises both arms in celebration after being sworn in as governor of Texas in Austin, Texas in this Jan. 15, 1991.We started strong. Ann Richards’ inauguration as governor on Jan. 15, 1991, was magic for me — and for 10,000 other Texans who marched up Congress Avenue to the magnificent pink granite State Capitol building.
From the 1970s to the mid-1990s, Texas had strong elected leaders who achieved significant reforms within our state government. Many powerful politicians actually responded to the day-to-day needs and hopes of ordinary citizens instead of only trying to energize their political base. Under Ann’s direction, her appointees began to take decisive action within their respective agencies. Beginning early in Ann’s term, we were able to place a moratorium on new permits for commercial hazardous waste disposal until stronger environmental safeguards could be put into place. We initiated new air-quality rules for major industries.
As I recall, the moments of bipartisanship involved the women officeholders in each party who worked together to achieve something that mattered to each of them.
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