Education committee recommends confirmation of Carson Goode and Speaker Paul Renner to State University System posts

The Committee on Education Postsecondary on Oct. 12 recommended confirmation of two appointees to the State University System after brief confirmation hearings and a roll-call vote.

Carson Goode, appearing virtually, described his background in commercial real estate and prior public-service experience on the Orlando Airport Authority during his confirmation hearing. "I really appreciate your consideration," Goode told the committee, summarizing his interest in helping "each of these 12 universities build on their unique superpowers." He said he intends to focus on raising private funds and endowments and on encouraging synergy among institutions.

Speaker Paul Renner also testified and described his decade of experience with higher education policy, listing transparency, compliance with legislative guidance and a reduction in administrative growth as priorities. "Transparency in everything that we do is 1," Renner said, adding that he would pursue compliance and seek to address what he called administrative bloat.

Senator Berman voiced concern during debate about gender balance on the board, noting that "there are only 2 women on the board out of the 17" and urging future appointment consideration for greater representation.

Senator Harrell moved to recommend confirmation of the appointees on tabs 4 and 5. The committee roll call returned affirmative votes and the chair announced the confirmations were recommended.

The committee’s recommendation advances the appointments to the next step in the confirmation process; the transcript records the committee action but does not record a subsequent full-chamber vote in this hearing.

Votes at a glance: The committee recorded aye votes in roll call from Senators Berman, Fine, Harrell, Jones, Rodriguez, Simon and the chair. By the committee’s vote, the confirmations were recommended.

The committee then proceeded to other agenda items.