In the News
City and utility district support Watson's proposal in Senate
Friday, May 15, 2009
by Suzannah Gonzales
Austin American-Statesman
After months of feuding over a proposed city takeover of district operations, City of Lakeway officials and representatives of the Lakeway Municipal Utility District seem to have found middle ground.
Read More…
Ogden passes stem cell study bill
Thursday, May 14, 2009
by Patricia Kilday Hart
Texas Monthly
Sen. Steve Ogden won Senate passage of a bill requiring all state agencies to file a public report detailing any research involving human embryonic stem cell research. There was little…
Ogden works with Watson to pass stem cell research reporting bill out of Senate
Thursday, May 14, 2009
by Kimberly Reeves
Quorum Report
Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), with the help of colleague Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), managed to move his stem cell study bill through the Senate this afternoon with barely a ripple…
Seeing the light and all its power
Thursday, May 14, 2009
by Editorial Board
Waco Tribune-Herald
Dismiss talk of global warming and environmentalism if you must. But times are changing fast and, along with them, the very way we heat and cool our homes and businesses.
…Back-seat buckle-up bill passed by Senate
Thursday, May 14, 2009
by Terrence Stutz
Dallas Morning News
All Texans would have to buckle up in the back seat of their vehicles under a bill that the Senate passed on Thursday with little debate. The measure by Sen.…
Senate passes measure to boost development of solar energy plants
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
by Mike Ward and Asher Price
Austin American-Statesman
A high-profile bill that would expand goals for renewable energy by encouraging the development of solar energy plants to generate electricity was passed Tuesday by the Texas Senate.
Approval of…
No billboards on scenic Texas 71
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
by Mike Ward
Austin American-Statesman
A scenic stretch of Texas Highway 71 west of Austin would be protected from additional billboards and off-premises signs under a bill approved today by the Texas Senate.
Under Senate…
High court judges should disclose votes
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
by Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
Because the elected Supreme Court justices in Texas are heavily dependent on money from attorneys and businesses with cases before the court, voters should know as much as possible about…
Bryan Shaw, commissioner with state environmental agency, confirmed
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
by Asher Price
Austin American-Statesman
Bryan Shaw, a commissioner at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, survived a challenge by Democratic senators before winning confirmation by a vote of 22 to 7 on Tuesday.
Shaw’s…
Watson bill targets unresponsive TWC member
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
by Jason Embry
Austin American-Statesman
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, today filed Senate Bill 2576, which says that members of the Texas Workforce Commission may present their opinion and give advice on issues that affect the…
Watson bill mandates more openness in Texas Supreme Court decision-making
Monday, May 04, 2009
by Chuck Lindell
Austin American-Statesman
In a dark-paneled conference room in Austin, nine Texas Supreme Court justices meet at least once a month to decide whether the next batch of appeals will be accepted or…
House, Senate ease school accountability standards
Thursday, April 30, 2009
by Kate Alexander
Austin American-Statesman
Austin's wrenching experience with closure left an imprint on the mammoth school accountability bills that unanimously passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature on Wednesday. No longer will…
A boost for film productions
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
by Mike Ward
Austin American-Statesman
A bill that would establish tax-free “media production development zones” to help bring more film business to Texas was approved today by the Texas Senate.
State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin,…
Panhandle Republican takes middle path in carbon rules
Sunday, April 26, 2009
by Asher Price
Austin American-Statesman
The sole rule at meetings of the carbon management caucus, organized by state Rep. Warren Chisum, is that none of the 40 or so members may talk about global warming.
…Bill would set environmental rules for new schools
Sunday, March 29, 2009
by Matthew Tresaugue
Houston Chronicle
For four decades, Bayshore Elementary was the picture of a neighborhood school, a red-brick building among tidy houses on a tree-lined street in Shoreacres.

