Newsroom
Texas lawmakers ease budget cuts by holding back more dedicated taxes
Monday, July 04, 2011
Texas lawmakers, who will do almost anything to avoid raising broad-based taxes, balanced the budget this year with one of their favorite flavors of money: dedicated funds. Budget writers set…Watson to lead Senate Democrats
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Austin state Sen. Kirk Watson was elected this afternoon as the new chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, a post that will give him increased visibility and additional clout in…Kirk Watson elected chair of Senate Democratic Caucus
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Senate Democrats have elected Kirk Watson of Austin as the new chairman of their caucus. Watson replaces Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, who has led the caucus since…Watson, Nichols to lead investigation into water utility rate increases
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A group of Texas senators, co-chaired by Senators Kirk Watson and Robert Nichols, will investigate severe water and sewage rate increases by investor-owned utilities affecting thousands of people across Texas.Senate Democrats elect new leadership as legislative interim approaches
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Following a successful eight-year tenure as Democratic Leader in the Texas Senate, Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) stepped down as Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus today and welcomed…Watson budget transparency measures in must-pass bill
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Several of the budget transparency provisions pushed by state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, made it into the final version of a key budget-related bill that won final Senate approval today.…What Texas’ new television recycling law means for consumers
Friday, June 24, 2011
Texas has a new law requiring television manufacturers to take back and recycle old sets in an effort to keep toxic materials including lead and mercury out of landfills and…TV Recycling Bill Has Better Chance This Session
Friday, June 24, 2011
Showing me around Corona Visions recycling off I-35 near BAMC, Vandell Norwood said his crew carefully takes apart every piece of every computer monitor, hard drive, mouse, telephone, and television…Families hope teens learn new Texas law takes fear out of calling for help
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a bill into law that gives immunity to a minor seeking help for a friend in an emergency.Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, authored the…New Laws Push Government Transparency, Protect Privacy
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
It's a tough balance to strike for state officials: promoting government transparency on the web while protecting people's private information. Lawmakers just wrapping up the 82nd legislative session…