Newsroom
Speeches and Statements
Senate OKs Bill to Promote Texas Data Transparency
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
by Matt Stiles and Becca Aaronson
Texas Tribune
Data enthusiasts may be cringing at proposed federal cuts to transparency websites, but the Texas Senate passed a bill today that would promote state transparency by requiring agencies to post…
Changes create immediate transparency in Texas budget
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs and Senator Kirk Watson on Tuesday announced a series of measures to bolster existing state financial transparency initiatives — and they both vowed to support legislation…
Bill seeks to change standard for treatment of wastewater
Friday, March 25, 2011
by Allie Kolechta
Daily Texan
The Austin City Council championed a state senate bill that could improve the quality of water in Barton Springs at a meeting Thursday.
The bill would change standards for the…
Former Mayors Offer Advice to Austin
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
by Aziza Musa
Texas Tribune
The city of Austin could follow in the footsteps of other major Texas cities if it changed its form of government to single-member districts…
Sen. Watson and Rep. Naishtat file Pathways to Employment Act
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Legislation filed by Senator Kirk Watson and Representative Elliott Naishtat would improve economic self-sufficiency among some of the most disenfranchised Texans by providing homeless individuals with a basic necessity for…
Balanced budget resolution misplaces reform focus
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Texas Senator Kirk Watson issued the following statement today regarding the Texas Senate’s passage of Senate Joint Resolution 1, calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring a balanced…
Budgeting with smoke and mirrors
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
by Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
Back in the days when Texas state government was comparatively affluent remembered only by people with some gray in their hair the operative expression was "if it ain't broke, don't…
Senator Watson files Honesty Agenda
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Texas Senator Kirk Watson today filed his Honesty Agenda – more than a dozen pieces of legislation that would open the budget process to Texans, make information widely available about…
Sen. Watson and Rep. Strama file Prevention Works Act
Monday, February 14, 2011
Bills seek to reduce unplanned pregnancies by continuing support for the Women's Health Program and emphasizing education
Legislation filed by Senator Kirk Watson and Representative Mark Strama would…
Bill creates innovative path to fund college savings
Thursday, February 03, 2011
A bipartisan group of state officials is endorsing an innovative way to fund an important program that matches the savings parents set aside for their children’s college and university education.
Editorial: Texas needs a clear way to measure water use
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Dallas Morning News
Which Texas city is best at conserving water? Houston? El Paso? Dallas? Amarillo? San Antonio? And which region of the state is best at making the most of its…
Senate creates essential window into Texas budget
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Texas Senate on Wednesday adopted an important part of Senator Watson’s Honesty Agenda for fiscal transparency in the state, voting to require a vital budget document to be public…
Revenue estimate reveals more than one deficit
Monday, January 10, 2011
"The timing of today's revenue estimate, and the bad news it contains, illuminate a deficit in budget honesty."
Senator Kirk Watson released this statement following the release of the…
Bipartisan support for "a business week’s worth of budget honesty"
Friday, January 07, 2011
TPPF, CPPP support transparency principles underlying Watson’s proposal for a five-day final budget layout
Two major policy groups have expressed support for giving Texans more time to review the final…
82nd Legislative Session: The Honesty Agenda (full text)
Monday, November 15, 2010
by Kirk Watson
Thank you all for coming out today and taking time out of your schedule to think about the upcoming Texas Legislative Session.
Now, I particularly want to thank you…
