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Panel should help determine flagship university status in Texas
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
by Editorial BoardAustin American-Statesman
While just about everyone agrees that more top-tier universities would be a tremendous boon to Texas, taking the next steps to accomplish that goal has been quite difficult.
The problem,…
Watson proposes panel to designate top-tier universities
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
by Ralph K.M. HaurwitzAustin American-Statesman
A blue-ribbon panel would be established to help navigate the politically dicey question of which Texas universities should be elevated to top-tier status, under legislation introduced Monday by state Sen.…
Watson sets out priorities for upcoming 81st Legislature
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
by Kimberly ReevesIn Fact Daily
Two issues near and dear to Sen. Kirk Watson two years ago – climate change and creating a process to launch a third public flagship university – will be at…
Watson wants budget ‘transparency’
Monday, November 10, 2008
by Mike WardAustin American-Statesman
With January’s legislation fast approaching and an expected state budget pinch expected to be Topic A, Austin state Sen. Kirk Watson says he intends to push for more “transparency” in…
In speech, Watson ruminates on shape of session to come
Monday, November 10, 2008
Quorum ReportOn the day that unofficially kicks off the session – the first day to file bills – Sen. Kirk Watson speculated the current economy and last week’s Democratic wins…
Texas lawmakers set agenda for 2009 Legislative Session
Monday, November 10, 2008
by Katherine StolpKEYE
The 81st Texas legislative session begins in just two months.
Starting Monday, lawmakers began filing hundreds of bills. They only have 140 days starting on January 13th to…
Watson intervened to end impasse between union, Cap Metro management
Monday, November 10, 2008
In Fact DailyA three-day old strike by union bus drivers and mechanics against Capital Metro came to an abrupt end Friday night, as members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 and…
Watson to file bill designating Texas 71 as ‘scenic’
Monday, November 10, 2008
by Eleni HimarasLake Travis View
State Senator Kirk Watson attempted to pass a measure through the legislature last year that would classify Texas 71 as a scenic highway, thereby banning future billboards along the road.
…Clean air strategy quietly drifts off
Friday, October 31, 2008
by Matthew TresaugueHouston Chronicle
A Texas Senate committee this week quietly withdrew recommendations that would require the state's environmental agency to adopt stringent new limits on hazardous air pollutants.
The reversal came four weeks…
Budget leaders: Don’t look for costly changes to state business tax
Thursday, October 30, 2008
by Peggy FikacSan Antonio Express-News
AUSTIN – Small businesses are unrelenting in pushing for changes to a new state tax that many say has left them gasping, but budget leaders today suggested any revamp can’t…
An in-depth look to ecofriendly school buses
Thursday, September 25, 2008
KXANThe Texas Clean School Bus program can issue $8 million to reimburse Texas School districts that retrofit school buses, and one of the unique buses was being showcased Thursday morning.
State asks schools to cut back on bus emissions
Thursday, September 25, 2008
News 8 AustinState officials encouraged Texas school districts to clean up their school bus fleets Thursday.
Officials from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Senator Kirk Watson and the Executive…
Leaders question no needle exchange
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
KXANThe Allison Elementary school students were on recess at the nearby Civitan Park.
KXAN photojournalist Manuel Montana spotted another dirty needle at the park on Wednesday.
Texas is…
Report details mansion security lapses
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
by Tony Plohetski, David ShiehAustin American-Statesman
A key member of Gov. Rick Perry's protection detail didn't do enough to protect the historic Governor's Mansion from an arsonist, including failing to tell supervisors about broken security cameras…
Texas PUC approves additional wind capacity
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Energy CurrentThe Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas today selected a transmission scenario that will eventually transmit a total of 18,456 MW of wind power from West Texas and the Texas…
