In the News
Streetcar Blow-Up
Thursday, May 01, 2008
by Katherine Gregor
Austin Chronicle
Contrary to what was reported in a front-page Statesman article and editorial this past week, the city of Austin has not in fact abandoned plans for a streetcar, nor has…
Federal study to look at coal plants' impact on Austin air
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
by Elise Hu
KVUE News
State lawmakers are looking at smog solutions, now that federal clean air standards have been strengthened.If Austin has trouble meeting the new smog standards, the Environmental Protection Agency will require…
$1 billion error caused cash crunch
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
by Ben Wear
Austin American-Statesman
The Texas Department of Transportation made a billion-dollar error, officials of the agency admitted Tuesday under stern questioning from legislators, a mistake they said contributed significantly to TxDOT's sudden cash…
Lawmakers question transportation officials on cash flow issues
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
by April Castro
Associated Press
Lawmakers on Tuesday accused state transportation officials of falsely blaming the Legislature for their own poor financial planning and creating an exaggerated public impression of budgetary woes to promote private…
Texas lawmakers aren't sure transportation department's numbers add up
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
by Michael A. Lindenberger
Dallas Morning News
Just how broke is TxDOT really?
Lawmakers will be asking that Tuesday during a joint session of the Senate finance and transportation committees.
For most of last summer and fall,…
Watson issues statement on the joint Transportation and Finance committee hearing
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
"Texans today saw convincing evidence of a fact that many of us have known – they cannot trust the Texas Department of Transportation or the policies that are consigning Texas…
Meals on Wheels and More can do much more with $1.4 million
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
by Andrea Ball
Austin-American Statesman
Luis Bella leaned against a 60-gallon soup kettle in the Meals on Wheels and More kitchen, watching the power brokers meet the media.
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, Rep. Warren Chisum,…
Watson still has questions about tollway money
Thursday, December 27, 2007
by Ben Wear
Austin American-Statesman
State Sen. Kirk Watson earlier this month had asked for answers from the Texas Department of Transportation about why the agency is several hundred million dollars short for Austin toll…
Like cars in traffic, gas tax doesn’t budge
Thursday, December 27, 2007
by The Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
The refusal of most state political leaders to even consider raising taxes, no matter how popular the use for the revenue or how obvious the need, is costing the state…
Watson asks for clarification from TxDOT
Friday, December 14, 2007
Austin Business Journal
The Texas Department of Transportation's recent announcements about proposed budget cuts have prompted Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, to send a letter to the department asking for clarification on what those…
Watson calls on TxDOT to answer CAMPO funding cut questions
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
In Fact Daily
Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) has sent a critical letter to theTexas Department of Transportation, asking why the department was so quick in announcing it would be necessary to pull funding…
In Texas, Climate Creeping onto Agenda
Monday, November 26, 2007
by John Burnett
National Public Radio
Texas emits more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other state. And if Texas were a country, it would be the seventh-largest carbon dioxide polluter in the world.
Texas's…
Watson Says Truth In Taxes Lacking
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
KLBJ News Radio
State Senator Kirk Watson of Austin says those seeking elected office talk about taxes to get elected. But he says elected officials should take those conversations one step further and…
Tons of electronics given to “E-Cycling” drive
Saturday, November 03, 2007
KVUE News
Central Texas unloaded some of its old electronic junk in an electronic recycling event designed to breathe new life into old equipment and help the environment.
Saturday morning dozens of…
Fighting for Johnston High School
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
KVUE TV
Hundreds of parents turned out Tuesday night in an attempt to find solutions to the problems at Johnston High School.
The Austin school is in danger of being closed…

