By Kyle Ingram and Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan for the Raleigh News & Observer

State lawmakers on Thursday admonished DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin for what they said was his “failure” to lead the troubled agency and suggested “drastic” changes may be needed to right it. 

The hearing before the House Oversight Committee came just one day after Goodwin announced he would step down as commissioner but would serve until a successor is found. 

Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins told lawmakers that he and Gov. Josh Stein’s office hoped to find a commissioner with more business and management skills.

“This was your last opportunity to be forthright and honest with this committee,” Rep. Brenden Jones, one of the committee chairs, told Goodwin. “… It’s been a failure under your tenure; why not just go ahead and leave?” 

Goodwin responded that he had served in his role for three years and still had projects and initiatives underway. 

“For there to be a vacancy at the top would potentially slow those down,” he said. 

“If the DMV slowed any more, it would stop,” Jones responded. 

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle spent much of Thursday’s hearing questioning Goodwin about issues with long wait times, few appointments and overall poor customer service at the DMV. 

Goodwin acknowledged that the agency has had many challenges but said they had made improvements during his administration and could do more if afforded more staff and resources.

Rep. Eric Ager, a Buncombe County Democrat, agreed. 

“It’s clear that the state is growing rapidly,” he said. “We need more people to do the same job for a growing number of people … you certainly can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip.” 

But Rep. Jake Johnson, a Polk County Republican, suggested that more sweeping changes may be necessary than just increased funding. He questioned whether the DMV should become a standalone agency separate from the Department of Transportation, which it is currently housed within. 

“I know that’s probably not going to happen overnight, but we’ve got to make some drastic changes,” he said. “I think this has been an ongoing problem for way too long.” 

Goodwin said he anticipated that a successor would be identified to replace him as commissioner within a couple of months. 

“I have chosen a happier life, and I look forward to hearing of great things to come from this body,” he said. 

Goodwin’s hearing came during a series of meetings that Republicans planned to hold with Democratic Stein’s Cabinet and the Council of State.

Stein’s appointed Secretary of Revenue McKinley Wooten Jr. gave an overview of his agency, saying priorities include upgrading technology and quickly processing taxes. Wooten fielded questions from Democrats and Republicans about measuring success and ways that the agency can offer better customer service. Committee chairs praised Wooten at the end of his hearing. 

Republican Rep. Brian Echevarria of Cabarrus County wanted to make sure there are no diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the agency. 

Wooten said that Revenue does not have any DEI programs. Echevarria said he saw a mention of DEI in the Department of Revenue’s strategic plan, and expects that to be eliminated. Wooten said Revenue did not implement any DEI programs.

Echevarria said he is excited that the House has its own DOGE, referring to the Trump administration’s new Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and has started widespread, sweeping firings of federal employees in order to reach its goal.

State Budget Director Kristin Walker, who leads the Office of State Budget and Management in Stein’s Cabinet, was asked about any state impact of federal cuts.

Walker said “right now it’s hard to know even which programs are being targeted,” so officials there are talking to other agencies about finding out if the state loses one of more of the 100 federal grants it currently receives.

Republican Rep. John Blust of Guilford County asked Walker about oversight of state money being given to nonprofits. Walker explained how the budget office’s internal audit staff works and that “the answer lies with each agency.”

Rep. Amber Baker, a Forsyth County Democrat, said when state lawmakers look at government efficiency, they should also look at private school vouchers, to which Republicans gave an additional $500 million at the end of 2024.

Echevarria also asked about DEI at OSBM. Walker said her office strives to attract the best workforce and “to create a welcoming environment.”

The preceding article originally appeared on February 28, 2025 at Raleigh News & Observer‘s website and is made available here for educational purposes only. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 106A-117 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Any views or opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Carolina Leadership Coalition. Photo by Gerry Broome courtesy of the North State Journal